Rwanda is now the official champion of Giants of Africa (GOA) 2025 basketball tournament after defeating Senegal 27-24 in an exciting game played on August 1, at Zaria Courts in Kigali.
Throughout the season, Rwanda demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and resilience; consistently outperforming their opponents. The match against Senegal however was a nail-biter, with Rwanda pulling ahead in the final quarter thanks to strategic plays and unwavering crowd support, including the Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire.
This triumphant victory saw Dylan Lebson Kayijuka, Canada-based Rwandan basketball prospect named GOA 2025 Most Valued Player (MVP) for his spectacular performance, over-powering the 2023 title holders-Senegal.
Kayijuka was recognized alongside Oummou Koumare from Mali, as the Girls MVP, Chaimaa Aarab from Morocco, as the most improved player-girls, and Amos Mugisha, most improved player-boys.
Similarly, Aminata Ndong and Pape Moussa Diallo from Senegal emerged as the best defensive players girls and boys respectively. While Mali was ranked ‘The Girls Champions’ of GOA 2025.
Held from 26 to August 2 in Kigali, Rwanda, the GOA festival has brought together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations for a week-long celebration of basketball, culture, fashion, community, and most importantly, African excellence.
This year’s edition marked the grand opening of Zaria Court-a mixed-use sports and cultural district, the first ever GOA fashion show-threads of Africa, the unveiling of 3 state-of-the-art basketball courts, and appearances by global celebrities like Kawhi Lenard, Tekno, Kizz Daniel, among others.
About Giants of Africa
Giants of Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Masai Ujiri, Vice-Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors. The initiative was born out of Ujiri’s vision to use basketball as a tool to empower African youth, promote leadership, and inspire dreams across the continent.
Over the years, GOA has expanded its reach, hosting camps, clinics, and festivals in multiple African countries.
The annual Giants of Africa Festival, launched in 2022, is the pinnacle event, combining sports with cultural performances, educational workshops, and community engagement.
Photo Credit: Giants of Africa
