The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference concluded with Rwanda’s Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) emerging victorious in a dramatic showdown against Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) on 25th May 2025.
APR’s clash with NCT was a game of momentum swings, with both teams fighting for control. In the first quarter, NCT started strong, leading 23-22 at the buzzer. This aggressive offense, spearheaded by Tylor Ongwae, kept APR on their toes.
However, with an Arena filled with enthusiastic supporters, including the head of state and first family, APR responded with a defensive masterclass in the second quarter, limiting NCT’s scoring opportunities. By halftime, they had taken a 39-31 lead, thanks to Aliou Diarra and Youssoupha Ndoye.
NCT fought back, closing the gap to 59-51 – a resilience that kept the game competitive. But APR’s depth ensured they maintained control, tying 74-74, before Obadiah Noel’s clutch three-pointer in the dying seconds that sealed APR’s victory.
With this thrilling victory, Rwanda’s ‘lion’ secured second-place finish in the Nile Conference, punching their ticket to the next stage-the BAL Playoffs, slated to take place from 6th to 14th June 2025, at Sun Bet Arena, Pretoria, South Africa.
Meanwhile, Nairobi City Thunder’s loss ended their BAL campaign. As well as MBB (Made by Basketball) South Africa who lost to Al Ahli 102-73, earlier in the day.
APR and Al Ahli Tripoli (entering as the top seed) will join other top teams: US Monastir (Tunisia), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), and Al Ittihad (Egypt), Kriol Star (Cape Verde) and FUS Rabat (Morocco).
Will APR continue their Cinderella run? Can Al Ahli maintain their dominance? The BAL Playoffs will have all the answers.
Photos by Shema Innocent
