THE upcoming BAL semifinals have familiar clubs and a new one debuting with a bang. Al Ahly of Egypt and Petro de Luanda are former champions, while Libya’s Al Ahly have been down this road, while Rwanda’s RSSB have had a memorable debut.
The Big Tip Off previews the match-ups taking place on Wednesday and Thursday at Kigali’s BK Arena.
Last season’s finalists, Petro de Luanda and the high-scoring Al Ahly Libya, renew their growing rivalry in a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final. While Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers take on former champions Al Ahly Egypt for a place in the title game.
With a place in the championship game and a ticket to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup on the line, the next two nights at BK Arena will be decided by more than talent alone. Experience, composure, and the ability to handle pressure when the margins get thin will shape which two teams move one step closer to continental glory.
Petro de Luanda vs Al Ahly Libya
This semifinal is a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final, the night Petro de Luanda lifted their first BAL crown at the expense of the Libyan upstarts. Two years later, the Angolan dynasty meets a reinvented Al Ahly Ly side that has transformed from runners-up into the most explosive offensive force in the competition.
The Angolan champions are the only team to have reached the BAL semifinals in all six seasons of the league’s existence. In the quarterfinals, they faced Tanzania’s Dar City, where they suffered an 88-80 defeat in the first leg. In the second leg, however, they responded like seasoned champions, producing a commanding 83-69 victory to overturn the aggregate score and book a sixth straight semifinal appearance.
The Libyan side enters the semifinal as the highest-scoring team in BAL 2026, averaging more than 100 points per game during the conference phase. The Libyans won their two-legged quarterfinal series against Club Africain 88-87 and 98-80.
Petro de Luanda got the better of Al Ahly in the 2024 final and recent Conference stage in Pretoria. Pictures: BAL and The BTO
One of the biggest X-factors in this semifinal could be the contrast in depth and player workload. Petro’s bench completely dominated Dar City in the quarterfinals, outscoring them 51-16 in the first game and 34-5 in the second, highlighting the Angolans’ ability to maintain intensity through constant rotation.
In contrast, Al Ahly Ly relied heavily on their starters during their series against Club Africain, with each starter averaging around 34 minutes per game. While the Libyan side possesses the most explosive offence in BAL 2026, their heavy reliance on the starting unit could become a factor late in the game if Petro succeeds in slowing the tempo and turning the semifinal into a physical battle of endurance.
RSSB Tigers vs Al Ahly (Cairo)
RSSB Tigers survived a quarterfinal battle against Morocco’s FUS Rabat to secure their place in the semifinals. The Rwandan side laid the foundation for qualification with a dominant 95-72 victory in the opening game, giving themselves a comfortable cushion heading into the second game. However, in the second game, the Tigers were pushed to the limit, narrowly falling 99-98 in a tense encounter.
Despite the defeat, the one-point margin was not enough for FUS Rabat to overturn the heavy first-game deficit, allowing the Tigers to advance on aggregate and continue their remarkable BAL campaign.
Nuni Omot, the BAL 2024 BAL MVP, is back with Al Ahly for the playoffs.
Al Ahly Egypt delivered a classic quarter-final comeback to secure their place in the BAL 2026 semi-finals. After falling 93-90 to Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar in the first game, they returned in game two with a commanding 87-76 victory to overturn the aggregate score and continue their pursuit of a second BAL title.
The Egyptian champions will need to contain Craig Randall II’s offensive production, as the Tigers look noticeably different without him. In their only loss against Nairobi City Thunder, Randall did not play. The American guard is currently averaging 37.7 points per game and played 40 minutes in the second game of the quarterfinals.
The rebounding presence of Mangok Mathiang and Oumar Ballo is another factor the Egyptians will need to manage.
It will be interesting to see whether Al Ahly Egypt will shoot from the outside, as they attempted only 8 three-pointers in the second game, making only 3. The inside defensive presence of Mathiang and Ballo in the paint might force them to.
Another area where the Tigers get points is off turnovers; they stole the ball 10 times in the second game of the quarterfinals series and scored 27 points off those turnovers. So the Egyptians will have to take care of the basketball.
Rebounding is another area the Egyptians should take advantage of because the Tigers shoot a lot from outside. However, they shot only 31% and 32% from beyond the arc in games one and two of the quarterfinals, respectively. So the Egyptians can capitalise on their misses.
AS the Basketball Africa League (BAL) switches gears from conference play to the Playoffs in Kigali, it is no surprise that one of the eight teams that have punched their ticket to the heart of Africa is Al Ahly Egypt.
On a roster built around experience, continuity, and championship ambition sits a player whose journey began at the opposite end of the continent: Osayimwen Osifo.
The South African forward, part of the Austin Spurs, the developmental affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, entered the Basketball Africa League this season through the league’s collaboration with the NBA’s development pipeline. In a tournament defined by condensed schedules and immediate expectations, Osifo carved out a role built on impact rather than volume, finishing as the Egyptian side’s leading rebounder at 6.6 rebounds per game, alongside 7.8 points and 1.6 blocks across the Sahara Conference.
His most complete performance came against the Maktown Flyers: 20 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, an outing that highlighted his ability to influence both ends of the floor within a system that prioritises efficiency and discipline.
In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Osifo discussed his introduction to basketball, his experience with the Austin Spurs, and his introduction and impressions of the BAL.
Osayi Osifo has quickly adapted to the pace of the BAL. Pictures: The BAL
The Sport That Found Him
Growing up in South Africa, the sporting ambitions of most boys pointed in a very specific direction. “You want to be good at soccer, cricket, rugby and track,” Osifo says. “Those are the things that are going to give you clout.” He was no different. At Potchefstroom Boys High School, he had found genuine traction in athletics and rugby, competing at a national level, his afternoons accounted for. Then a finger injury sidelined him mid-season, leaving a gap in his schedule to fill.
The school had one basketball court, old, built around 1960, fitted with a single hoop. With one arm still in a cast, he went out there. He played against the boys who typically occupied the court, and something clicked, not through effort, but through ease. “I noticed, like a natural instinct, I was better than most of the guys I was playing with.” For a young man who had worked hard for every breakthrough in athletics and rugby, finding something that came naturally felt like a different kind of gift.
Once the cast came off, he found himself falling in love with the game. He started to experience a significant growth spurt, quickly becoming the tallest boy in his class and eventually the tallest in the entire school. This transformation came just in time for a visit from his uncle from Dallas, a man who saw his nephew and recognised the potential that the South African system was ill-equipped to nurture. Within months, Osifo developed a plan: finish tenth grade, move to Texas, and explore the possibilities that basketball could offer him.
The conversation at home
It is worth pausing on what that conversation must have looked like at home. African parents carry a particular reputation when it comes to their children’s futures. The script usually reads: medicine, law, or engineering, and deviating from it requires either remarkable courage or remarkable evidence. Osifo is measured about it. “My parents have always supported me,” he says. “Going to the States, I think they knew that in what I wanted to do, there was a big opportunity.” But something is telling in how quickly he adds what came next: “I really wanted it for myself, to make something out of the opportunity I was given.”
The acknowledgement that the opportunity had to be earned, not just given, suggests he understood what was at stake for the people who had backed him. He left in December 2015. In January 2016, he was suiting up for Junior Varsity at McKinney Boyd High School in Dallas, which gave him a taste of humility. “I thought I was really confident,” he says. “But when I came to the States, I definitely got humbled, just having to learn the basics and going from streetball to organised basketball.”
What followed were hours after school, patience from coaches, and the slow work of converting instinct into technical fluency. By the following year, he was on varsity. “It’s always been a learning process,” he says. “Even when you watch my games, I’m still making mistakes.”
Osayi Osifo is ready to help Al Ahly win a second BAL title.
Building inside the Spurs system
After college, Osifo entered the NBA’s development ecosystem through the Austin Spurs, widely regarded as one of the most aligned pipelines in the G League. The environment offered exposure to NBA-level coaching, high-density talent pools, and a culture built around incremental improvement. “It’s one of the best organisations in the world,” he says. His time in the system included playoff runs, summer league appearances, and training camp exposure, one season culminating in a franchise-high win total. Osifo has since become co-captain, and even now, he still resists framing any of it as finished.
All eyes on Al Ahly
Since graduating from college, Osifo had wanted to play in the Basketball Africa League. An earlier opportunity with a South African team had come and gone without materialising, interest from the Cape Town Tigers in the league’s early days that never quite aligned. However, the pathway remained open, particularly through the G League’s integration with BAL rosters, and this season, through Al Ahly, everything converged.
The process is not entirely within a player’s hands. The G League makes the pool known to eligible teams. Players whose domestic seasons have concluded can enter their names, and clubs select based on fit, timing, and mutual interest. Several teams across both conferences expressed interest in Osifo, but contracts had to align, and the timing had to work. “The last team to reach out to me was Al Ahly,” he shared. “I spoke with the coaches. The staff is great. And the championship mentality they have, that’s something I wanted to be a part of.” He signed within a week of the deadline and was on his way to join the North African side.
What Osifo found when he arrived was not what development basketball had prepared him for. The BAL is not a league particularly built around patience with young players. It is built around professionals, men with international résumés, years of competitive repetition, and very little interest in waiting for anyone to find their feet. “In this league, 30 is a very young age,” Osifo says. “You’re playing against vets. You can’t teach experience.”
His role inside Al Ahly’s system reflected that reality. This was not about developmental upside or long-term projection; it was about functional contribution, immediately. Defensive presence, rebounding, energy off the bench or from the start, whatever the game demanded. “It’s requiring a certain level of professionalism,” he shared. Preparation had been deliberate even before the conference began: a training camp in Egypt where time was treated as a scarce resource. “We were really intentional: meals together, video sessions, everything.” Al Ahly’s objective was clear from the get-go. “Championship.”
Osayi Osifo says support from family and friends has meant everything to him.
Into the water
His introduction to the Sahara Conference play came against Club Africain, and it announced him in the way that matters most at this level, physically. A powerful dunk early in the game rippled across broadcast and social platforms, the kind of moment that tells a league you are here. But the result was a narrow loss, and Osifo is honest about what that first game actually was. “It was really just throwing us into the water,” he says. “Testing us.”
The response was what separated Al Ahly from a team still assembling itself. Adjustments were made quickly, defensive structure tightened, communication became sharper, and roles became clearer. “We’re learning each other on the fly,” he says. By the time the conference concluded, the work had translated into results: a playoff berth secured, Kigali confirmed, Al Ahly’s position as one of the tournament’s genuine contenders intact.
If you can make it out here
Osifo had followed the league from a distance for years. He had wanted to be part of it since college. And now that he is inside it, the verdict is unambiguous. “It’s blown it out of the water,” he says. “The competition level, the professionalism, the fans, it feels like playoffs every night.”
There is something about the BAL’s intensity that is difficult to prepare for without experiencing it. The margins are thin. The format leaves no room for gradual warming up. And the visibility, within Africa and increasingly beyond it, is real in a way that changes how the games feel. “If you can make it out here,” Osifo says, “you can make it anywhere.”
When asked what he is most proud of, Osifo does not reach for statistics or milestones but instead points to something which carried him from his earliest days. “The resilience,” he says. “And the support I had from back home.” The school, the friends, the family that kept him tethered to where he started, even as the distance grew. “If not for the support of family, different people from different walks of life, it’s all about togetherness. That’s something I learned from back home.”
From Potchefstroom to Texas, from the G League to the BAL playoffs, the journey has not followed a single system. It was a series of crossings, each one demanding a different kind of adaptation, highlighting that where you start is not a limitation on how far you can go.
RUEBEN Chinyelu speaks proudly of being Nigerian and of flying his country’s flag on the NCAA stage. It’s a path several of his compatriots have walked, but Chinyelu is distinguished by winning an NCAA championship and earning individual accolades with his college team, the Florida Gators.
The 6ft10 (2,08m) forward follows a path first navigated by Nigeria-born NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who went through the American college system and won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in the mid-90s. It’s a legacy Chinyelu celebrates, and he hopes to be on the same stage where Olajuwan’s name once illuminated.
Speaking to The Big Tip Off via the Zoom platform at his Florida base, he reflected on the court life lessons he learnt before tasting success with the Gators and acclimating to life far away from home.
“It feels good to leave home, enter a new environment, and represent your country abroad. I am proud of where I come from, and knowing that legends like Hakeem Olajuwon dominated, and I am doing my part… That is beautiful,” Chinyelu said. “I aim to represent my country and embrace being Nigerian. I’m grateful to be Nigerian.”
Stormy days in Washington
Before becoming a Gator in 2024, the NBA Africa Academy alumnus spent a season at Washington State, where he committed a year earlier. Off his time in the US capital, he says he learnt resilience, especially when things did not go according to script.
“It’s another side of the country. It’s really cold. Lucky for me, I have adaptive skills, which allowed me to settle in a different environment, and that was an anchor for me. It helped me get through that time,” said Chinyelu. “Washington played a huge part in my growth… Just learning to be resilient. Knowing things are not always going to be rosy. There will be storms and sunshine. And through it all, you have to stay the course.
“I think Washington prepared me for where I am right now. Every other part of my journey, even before Washington State, also contributed to where I am now. From Nigeria, where I started playing basketball, to the NBA Academy (Senegal) and playing in the BAL. Without those experiences, I would not be successful.”
Rueben Chinyelu says the Gators family environment fuelled the team’s and his success. Pictures: Hannah White and Maddie Washburn
Striking gold with the Gators
Chinyelu’s two years at Florida were a golden period of his college career, from a team and individual perspective. Looking back on Florida’s NCAA championship run, which was the university’s third basketball title, Chinyelu says that the success was due to the “family environment” built within the team. It’s a culture that permeated the team this year.
“When we won the championship, it was so wonderful. All the work put in… Seeing guys happy, wanting to play together and celebrating one another’s success was key for us. It kept us going. It kept us thriving, no matter the circumstances. Our team chemistry last year was unmatched,” said Chinyelu. “It was just a family environment. Everybody loves each other. We check on one another. It’s like one big family. Things like that make a difference… Because we have guys coming from different parts of the world, and giving them a family environment plays a huge part in the team being successful.”
While the Gators fell short of the exploits which saw them win the NCAA title last year, Chinyelu intimated that the family dynamic within the team allowed him to have an outstanding season this year (2025-2026), leading to him scooping five individual awards: SEC All-Defensive Team, Second-team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
“This year was no different. Everyone enjoyed playing together. It’s just that it was a breakout for me. I worked hard and did all I could,” said Chinyelu. “When it comes to winning the individual stuff, it was my teammates and them playing well with me, and the way I play with them. For any player to be successful, it’s the collective. Basketball is a five-man game. I would not have done it without them, so I share those awards with the team. They are our awards.”
Rueben Chinyelu hopes his time at the Gators can open the doors to the NBA.
Eyes on a bigger prize
His season had already ended, and after the interview with The Big Tip Off, he announced that he was declaring for this year’s NBA draft (set for June 24), while keeping the option to return to college. While he returned to college after declaring last year, this time around, he seems confident of a future in the NBA.
“Once I make it to the league. I want to be able to play long in the league,” said Chinyelu. “Once I am done, I want to help shine a light on Africa. Even if it’s to help create infrastructure or give back to the community. There is a ton of talent in Africa, but a lack of opportunity and resources. So once I am in a good position, I want to do everything I can.”
Chinyelu continued: “You have to start somewhere. You know how it is. If it is difficult here, in Africa, it’s 200 times more difficult. So that is why I want to do as much as I can for the African continent to help pave a way for another generation.”
Should he realise the dream of playing in the NBA, Chinyelu would join former NBA Academy Alumni and teammates Ulrich Chomche from Cameroon and South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach in being drafted to the elite league. On Maluach, a 10th pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Chinyelu recalled the work they put in together during the Academy days and how fate did not allow their colleges to face off in the NCAA final. Maluach’s Duke team fell short against the losing finalist, the Houston Cougars.
“Last year, when we made the final four, I was hoping I would play Khaman (in the final),” said Chinyelu. “He is my guy. We played together at the Academy for some years. So, I hoped he would make it to the final. It was going to be so much fun.
“I am so happy he got drafted. Super happy. Super proud of him because I remember the late-night and early morning work we put in to get better. That moment meant a lot. Not just for me, but the academy as well. I am proud of him.”
Chinyelu’s heart is in the right place, and whatever decision he makes to either return to Gainesville, Florida, for his final year of college or to pursue an NBA career, his story of resilience and adaptation is an example to follow.
AMERICAN-born Jonathan Cisse had grown up without his father for most of his life, so when he met him for the first time two years ago in Côte d’Ivoire, as stated in a social media post, it proved life-changing on two fronts. It was a chance for him to build a relationship with his father, who is from Côte d’Ivoire, and it opened doors for his playing career in the West African country. The 26-year-old has since become part of Côte d’Ivoire’s basketball fabric, having donned the Elephant’s orange jumper in March at the 2027 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Senegal. He continued his club career on the continent with JCA Kings, whom he helped qualify for the BAL last year, and he is part of their ongoing BAL debut campaign. This meaningful personal milestone also intersected with his growing career. Reflecting on this turning point, he says that meeting his father was “perfect timing”, and it became a launchpad for his basketball journey on the continent. “It was special. Just growing up my whole life, not knowing my dad… It was perfect timing when I met him,” said Cisse. “I was coming out of college, starting my professional career. He kind of mentioned at first that I should look into playing for the national team.” In addition to his father’s encouragement, he says playing in Europe drew the attention of the national team selectors.
Jonathan Cisse made his debut for Côte d’Ivoire at the World Cup Qualifiers. Pictures: FIBA and Getty
Looking back on the lead-up before his debut, Cisse explained, “First year in Cyprus (2024-25 season) opened the doors. People started noticing my game. The director of the Ivorian national team said, ‘maybe you should consider’. This year, it finally happened,” said Cisse. “It was an honour when it finally happened, and seeing what it means to the people of the country. It was a special experience.” On the court, Cisse finally made his debut for Côte d’Ivoire this year after missing out on the AfroBasket last year. He was part of the exceptional Elephants team, which went on a tear in the second window of the World Cup Africa Qualifiers, finishing with a 3-0 record in Group B. The fine start to the campaign has Cisse eager to continue the national team’s momentum in the next round of qualifiers (2-5 July in Senegal). “I’m looking forward to the next window. I think we have a very solid team. It’s been great. My experience of missing the (2025) AfroBasket was disappointing. I was not cleared in time to play after getting to know and train with everybody,” said Cisse, who averaged 14 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists in the second window between February 26 and March 1. “Now that I have played with them and everybody knows each other, I am excited. I think we can do something special. I am excited for what’s to come.” For Cisse, turning out for the JCA Kings led to him picking up the finer points of the game in Africa from legendary player and current club coach Stéphane Konaté. “It’s a different style of basketball from what I am used to, but it’s been great just doing what I love, which is playing basketball. I am having fun with it, working hard on and off the court, so I can continue to grow as a player and as a teammate,” said Cisse. “I am learning from Coach Steph. I know he had a great career with the national team. He’s been helping out a lot too, so it’s been a great experience.”
Jonathan Cisse still holds hope JCA can make the playoffs.
What has been forgettable so far is their BAL debut, as JCA fell 0-3 in the Sahara Conference, which has heightened the pressure on Cisse and his teammates to win their two remaining games so they can have a chance of qualifying for the playoffs in Kigali. Before the tip-off of the Sahara Conference, Cisse said the team was looking forward to their debut. “I think it’s good spirits… The practices have been intense. High level. We have been going at it and stuff. I think everybody is excited to make their debut,” said Cisse. “I think we are going to shock a lot of people. I know not many people are expecting us to do much, but we are excited, hungry, and everybody is ready to show what we can do.” Things have not gone according to script, but Cisse has not lost hope of a place in the playoffs despite a third loss in a row, a 79-74 defeat to Club Africain on Tuesday, in which he scored 30 points and dished out 7 assists. “We still have two games left. We need to keep our heads high. We are not satisfied. We are gonna come out and compete in these next two games,” said Cisse of JCA’s dire situation at the post-match press conference. Like in life, Cisse understands there are highs and lows, and the latter times require a team with unshakable resolve to overcome adversity.
AS the Basketball Africa League’s Sahara Conference begins on Friday, a blend of new talent, well-known players, and pivotal moments will take centre stage. It will also be the setting of an historic moment. For one individual in particular, this occasion signifies the continuation of a journey that has already unfolded across multiple chapters.
Stéphane Konaté, who previously played for the ABC Fighters, returns to the BAL, but this time in a different role –é as head coach of Côte d’Ivoire’s JCA Kings.
This transition showcases how competing in the league can lead to leadership opportunities, influencing not only his own career path but also the direction of the team he now oversees.
Understanding the BAL as a Player
Before stepping into the role of a coach, Konaté gained valuable experience as a player in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). That experience continues to influence his approach to the game today. He views the BAL as the highest level of club basketball on the continent, a platform where ambition, preparation, and performance converge.
His participation in the BAL was crucial as he neared the end of his playing career. It represented not only an opportunity to compete but also a chance to immerse himself in the experience.
“The BAL is the biggest club competition in Africa. To participate in this competition as a player was an accomplishment for me,” he stated. “I was told my career was ending, but I wanted to take part in this competition.”
What stood out most to him during this time was the importance of mindset. He emphasises that his focus was on enjoyment rather than pressure.
Stéphane Konaté has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his coaching career. Pictures: BAL
“My biggest challenge was to enjoy the experience… Doing well both on and off the court. I truly enjoyed it as a player,” he reflected. “As a coach, I encourage my players to enjoy every moment and to be happy playing in those conditions. When you do, everything falls into place.”
This philosophy now guides how he leads from the sidelines.
From the Court to the Sidelines
Konaté’s journey in the BAL will come full circle this week as he transitions from player to coach. This change brings not only personal pride but also significant responsibility as he takes on his new role on the sidelines. Embracing this change, Konate gains a renewed perspective that reflects the evolving landscape of African club basketball.
“An African competition is still a competition,” he stated. “So we have to compete and fight.”
With his unique background, Konaté understands the demands of the game and the mindset required for success, drawing heavily from his experiences on the court. Konaté’s lived experience gives him an advantage, especially in navigating the intensity of the BAL, where a high volume of games in a short period leaves little room for error.
Each game serves as both a lesson and a test, providing immediate feedback while exposing vulnerabilities that could be exploited on the court of play.
For him, this moment represents not an endpoint but rather the next chapter in his relationship with basketball in Africa. Transitioning from player to coach involves more than just knowledge of the game; it requires the ability to translate past experiences into valuable guidance for younger players.
“It is a great joy and pride to be the first to play in the BAL and to return to the competition as a coach. It is a great opportunity for me as well,” he said, highlighting the significance of his journey. “I draw inspiration from all the experiences I’ve acquired during my career,” he explained.
With this foundation, he aims to motivate his players to give their best and navigate the challenges of high-level competition.
Shaping JCA After the Road to BAL
When Konate took over JCA, the situation was far from straightforward. With only a short time to prepare before the season began, he had to quickly establish structure, identity, and belief within the group. Despite the limited preparation, the team responded well, ultimately winning the national championship and successfully navigating the Road to BAL, which led to their qualification through the Elite 16 West Division.
In the months since the Road to BAL, JCA’s focus has shifted to maintaining sharpness and momentum during the extended break, which can often be a challenge for teams with limited time to adjust to the demands of the BAL.
“Since the Road to BAL, this team has remained united, strong, and disciplined,” he said. “The preparation has gone well, and the management has implemented the necessary means to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Konate is particularly encouraged by the balance within the squad, which combines experienced players with young talent. He believes this mix is essential to their identity.
“This team is doing well,” he said. “We have a blend of experienced players and several young players, and it’s working effectively.”
For him, the key aspect is not just individual talent but the collective chemistry among the players. “The strength of this team lies in its chemistry,” he said.
Stephané Konaté wants his team to savour their BAL debut.
A Young Team On A Big Stage
With four tickets to Kigali available, JCA have as good a chance as any to book their place in the next phase. For a young group, many of whom are experiencing this level for the first time, the learning curve will be steep.
Coming in as debutants, however, also offers a subtle advantage. With no established expectations weighing on them, JCA have the freedom to define themselves on their own terms, playing with expression, belief, and the identity that carried them through qualification.
Konate is realistic about the demands ahead, but he frames them as an opportunity rather than a limitation. Pressure exists, but so does belief.
“All I wish for this young team is to give the best of themselves, and not regret it afterwards,” he shared.
He acknowledges the difficulty of competing at this level, particularly for inexperienced players, but sees it as part of their development.
“There’s always pressure,” he says. “We are a young team with a lot of young players who are participating for the first time in such a competition in a very high conference, it’s normal.”
Still, his message remains anchored in confidence: “But we believe in it,” he said. “This is an opportunity for these young people to prove what they’re worth.”
For Konate, it’s what the BAL represents at its core, not just competition, but transition, growth, and opportunity. From player to coach, his journey continues, now shaped by the responsibility of guiding others through the same path he once walked himself.
WHEN great basketball careers become the top of the discussion in the African continent, the name Abdelhakim Zouita cannot be left out. The Moroccan is the embodiment of what it means to build a legacy of greatness throughout one’s playing career.
His career has spanned over 20 years, and he is still going strong. When asked about turning 40 this year, he stressed he was still far from the big four-zero. “Just 39,” laughed FUS Rabat captain Zouita. “For now, I am just 39.”
While the question factored the legend’s advancing age, it had a caveat. What made the legendary Moroccan hooper hungry and wanting more? “I want to win more titles. I want to achieve more success. To give young kids and other basketball players a good image of Moroccan basketball,” said Zouita.
There is no better ambassador of the game in Morocco and possibly Africa than Zouita, whose career has produced continental trophies for his country and former club AS Salé. On the domestic scene, he has won 10 Division Excellence and 12 Coupe de Trone titles. And he still craves more success. It’s a craving which, over the past couple of seasons, has found resonance within the FUS Rabat club.
Zouita says the desire to win is part of the club’s DNA, and that championship mentality has seen FUS win three Division Excellence titles in a row and qualify for the BAL from 2023.
“We have competitive players. Players who want to win. Players who want to take everything in Morocco. And win the biggest (club) title in Africa, the BAL. That’s it,” said Zouita.
Zouita Abdelhakim and FUS have been shaped by past experiences to be a better team at this year’s BAL. Pictures: Getty Images
Winning on the continent is something Zouita knows a thing or two about, having triumphed with Morocco at the 2023 AfroCan and nine years ago (2017) with his former club, AS Salé, he won the old FIBA Africa Champions Cup, and to cap off a memorable tournament, he got the MVP crown.
Zouita, who averaged 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists when Salé triumphed, could only express gratitude for helping his country and club reach the mountain top in African basketball.
“I am grateful. I have had a great career. I love basketball, and what I did for my country. I hope to give more and show basketball is big in Morocco,” said Zouita.
On winning the MVP trophy, Zouita says great team chemistry led to his individual success. “It was the group. We had about six, seven, or eight players who played together for about 10 years. That was the key,” intimated Zouita.
Back to the BAL. Morocco will host the Sahara Conference for the second time in the North African country’s capital, Rabat, and Zouita and FUS will look forward to facing Al Ahly, Club Africain, JCA Kings, AS Ville Dakar and Maktown Fliers.
Zouita believes the calibre of clubs coming to Rabat will make the conference tough. “I think this is the hardest conference. These are the biggest clubs in Africa. Clubs with good quality players,” said Zouita.
Abdelhakim Zouita won the 2017 FIBA Africa Club Championship. Picture: FIBA
Looking at the Rabat-based club’s BAL record, they navigated the conference stage quite well, but they have failed to progress beyond the last eight. Zouita says experience has been a teacher to him and his teammates, and the reinforcements added to the club have played in the BAL before, they canwhich will help make FUS a contender this year.
“We are more prepared. We have more experience because we have participated in this competition for two years. We have brought in two good players – Will Perry and Abdoulaye Harouna – they are a plus for our team,” said Zouita. “We will be good at this conference. This year we will be good.”
Zouita and FUS have always been competitors at this level, but they have to take it up a notch this year. While he still has a desire to win, he acknowledges that his window to win another continental title could be closing.
“I need to work more, I don’t want to end my career now. I want to play for a few more years. I want to have fun and enjoy the few years I have left on the court,” said Zouita. “I hope I can end my career with one more title. It will be hard. As I said, the conference in Morocco is the toughest… We will see. We will see.”
JOSHUA Ozabor explains that two years ago, while playing in South Africa’s national club championship, he was naive about how serious the competition was and what it would have meant had the team he played for won the final.
Ozabor, one of the standout players for the Johannesburg Giants in the recently concluded BAL Kalahari Conference, which ended in disappointment, says playing for the haphazardly put-together Tip-Off Sport Vikings at the 2024 national tournament was a wake-up call.
Despite being a hastily arranged outfit, the then Florsheim Ngwenya-coached Vikings made it to the final but lost to MBB, who would earn the ticket to represent South Africa at last year’s BAL. During a telephonic interview with The Big Tip Off, the athletic Ozabor, who was playing NCAA Division I basketball at the time, recalled the lesson he learned two years ago.
“Not to take anything for granted,” said Ozabor, a former Bryant University Bulldogs player. “At that time, I was still at university. I was back for like three or four weeks. I think that was the third game I was playing in that tournament. I did not know what it was for. I was close with Florsh, who asked me to come and play and get some experience. I took that final for granted. I treated it like a normal game, not understanding the ramifications.
“It taught me that no matter where you are playing or who you are playing, you always have to come with that competitive mindset to win.”
Joshua Ozabor feels the BAL showed he can get to his spots. Pictures: The BTO
The attitude adjustment showed last year, and he won. This time, it was with the less-than-a-year-old Giants, who captured the national title and had a dream run in the Road to BAL, which led to automatic qualification for this year’s BAL Season 6. Sadly for Ozabor and Co., their Kalahari Conference debut held in South Africa’s capital, Tshwane, did not go according to script.
A humbling 0-5 record saw the Giants make an early exit. Despite finishing last in the opening leg of the BAL – the Kalahari Conference – Ozabor was one of the team’s shining lights. The 23-year-old statuesque baller averaged 14.8 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds during the Kalahari Conference. Ozabor was second in minutes (31.9) for the Giants in the five games he played, and he hit double figures after a quiet seven points in the opening game against Dar City.
Ozabor scored 18 points vs Nairobi City Thunder, 17 points vs RSSB Tigers, 13 points vs Al Ahly Libya and 19 points vs Petro de Luanda. While he held his own in terms of points production, he feels he could have done more to improve the fortunes of the Giants.
“Individually, numbers-wise, I did pretty well,” said Ozabor. “I am my own harshest critic. I feel I could have done better. Especially in that first game, I wish I could have done more offensively and defensively.”
While the Giants’ debut BAL campaign ended disappointingly, Ozabor feels his performances can only propel him forward.
“I am grateful for the opportunity. What I did in the tournament will help progress my career,” said Ozabor. “I definitely could have done better. Especially at the free-throw line. Just overall shooting percentage-wise I could have done better.”
He did feel he was able to get to his spots and make shots. “In terms of the aspects of my game that helped. Definitely my floaters and my finishing at the rim,” said Ozabor. “I thought I did a pretty good job putting the ball in places I know I wouldn’t get blocked.”
While a tournament of this magnitude requires meticulous preparation, sadly, the Giants were found wanting in that department, as competition in South Africa is not on par with leagues in Angola, Rwanda and Libya – countries which are home to the clubs that finished in the top three of the Kalahari Conference.
Joshua Ozabor put up some good numbers at the Kalahari Conference.
Ozabor pointed to the experience factor and how it may have counted against them at the Kalahari Conference.
“I know for the most part, other than two imports (Jakobi Heady and Caleb Magua) and David Craig, the guys I was playing with, we had been together for a bit. Since last year, October,” said Ozabor. “Obviously, we are a new team. Many of these teams have played together, and as organisations, they have been around for over ten years.
“Individually, players like Nino (Dim) or Vees (Aviwe Mahlong) prepared extremely hard… As hard as they could have. We had been together since February, maybe we could have started earlier, but I think we prepared as hard as we could have for this opportunity.”
Having had the experience of facing off against high-calibre players like Childe Dundao, Nisre Zouzoua and the Jean Jacques Boissy’s of this world, how did he feel he measured up?
“The best play against the best of the best,” said Ozabor. “As a team, we never felt overwhelmed or scared. We didn’t perform to the level we should have, but we never doubted our abilities. It’s basketball at the end of the day, and there has to be a winner and a loser.
“Individually, or if I speak for myself and people like Nino and Aviwe, we feel like we are right up there with all those players. We are definitely younger and less experienced than they are, but when we step on the floor against them, we didn’t feel inadequate. We had trust in our work, our abilities and trust in God.”
Joshua Ozabor enjoyed playing in front of his friends and family.
With the Kalahari Conference being held in Pretoria, Ozabor says he enjoyed playing in front of “friends and family”.
“It was a blessing. Of course, we did not get the results we wanted, but playing in front of my friends and family is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Ozabor. “Every time you score a point or make a good play, you look to the side and see people that you know. The atmosphere as well… Seeing the fans there cheering… The overall excitement in the air. It was overwhelming at times and just a blessing to be a part of.”
The BAL season may have ended earlier than expected for Ozabor and the Giants, but his performances on that stage were surely enough to attract potential suitors for his services.
While there isn’t anything concrete yet about his future, Ozabor is taking everything in and hopes he does not have to wait too long to be rewarded for his talents.
“My family and I are still deciding that right now. By God’s grace, I’ll progress in my career. Whatever continent or country that is… We are still processing everything…. Still making decisions about who I want to do that with. By God’s grace, I’ll know soon enough. I am just grateful to Jesus Christ for having had the opportunity, which I had,” said Ozabor.
It is clear Ozabor moves by faith. With his added maturity brought by experience, he will be able to navigate obstacles on and off the court.
GERSON Gonçalves, Aboubakar Gakou, and Childe Dundão; three names that have become synonymous with excellence across the Basketball Africa League. Shooting, playmaking, defensive intensity, control, and that unmistakable Angolan flair, but none of this was guaranteed.
In another life, they are a doctor. A chemical engineer. A civil engineer.
Structured paths. Certain futures. Instead, they chose a different kind of pursuit; one that demanded just as much discipline, precision, and intent. Stepping into an institution already rich in history at Petro de Luanda, they have become central to the club’s evolution.
It is within that balance, between legacy and reinvention, that this Petro core has defined itself. And during the recently concluded Kalahari Conference, The Big Tip Off caught up with the group to unpack what sustains their dominance: the spirit, the system, and the shared understanding that continues to set them apart.
A culture that sustains itself
Across Africa, soccer dominates as the continent’s most popular sport, but in Angola, basketball has long held the spotlight. The country has produced a string of stars, cultivated a storied tradition of excellence, and built a reputation for teams and players who consistently compete at the highest levels. You can feel it in packed arenas, neighbourhood courts, and the rhythm of every street game, a pulse that runs through the nation.
To understand Petro is to understand that environment, where basketball is more than a sport; it is a standard, a language, a way of life.
“Basketball is the most important sport in Angola,” Gakou explained. “Young people grow up loving the game.” It is a culture built not only on success, but also on aspiration, visibility, creating opportunities, and excellence, inspiring the next generation.
Every practice, tournament, and street pickup game carries echoes of the players who came before, and the influence of decorated figures is tangible.
Childe Dundão is the on-court brain of the Petro team. Picture: The BTO
The standard and the target
Sustained success inevitably shifts perception. Petro de Luanda are no longer chasing – they have become the standard.
“Yes, of course,” Gakou said when asked if they are the team to beat. “If other teams want to be great in the BAL, they have to beat Petro first. That’s why we have a target on our backs.”
That awareness doesn’t come with discomfort – it comes with clarity. Petro knows exactly where they stand within the league, and more importantly, what that position demands. Having competed in every BAL season without fail, played more games than any other club, and reached the semi-finals in each of the first five editions, winning the championship once, finishing second twice, claiming bronze, and taking fourth, they are the standard by which others measure themselves.
Pressure, in that sense, is not an exception to their experience; it is part of it. “In basketball, there is always pressure,” Gakou explained. “Every night we step on the court, there is pressure. But we are used to it.”
Rather than resist it, Petro has absorbed pressure into their process. The expectation to win has become routine, and it, in turn, has become their advantage. “Every practice is about being ready for the game,” Gonçalves added. It is this consistency in preparation, rather than moments of brilliance, that has allowed them to maintain their dominance across seasons.
Being the team everyone targets brings constant pressure: intense scrutiny, high expectations, and the need to prove your excellence again every single night. For Petro, that is not a burden; it is part of the standard they set, and one they uphold.
Living the legacy
What makes Petro’s current moment unique is that the past is not separate from the present; it exists alongside it. For this Petro core, that connection is deeply personal. “We grew up watching players like Carlos Morais,” he shared. “That’s what shaped us.”
Morais himself was a key part of Petro de Luanda until the end of the BAL’s fourth season, helping the club secure the championship. Throughout his career, he has achieved success – securing four AfroBasket titles, a FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup, and a BAL title; a legacy of excellence that continues to set the standard for the current core.
“I grew up watching those players,” Gakou reflected. “Now we are in the same locker room. I didn’t dream of that.”
Alongside Morais, Olimpio Cipriano, now part of the coaching staff, brings his own decorated legacy, with four AfroBasket medals and five FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup titles. Together, they are not just symbols of the past; they are active contributors to the present.
“It means a lot,” Gonçalves shared. “We have a big responsibility to be here and to do great things.”
These standards are not merely remembered; they are actively lived and reinforced each day by those who helped establish them. “That’s why our mentality is tough,” Childe Dundão added.
For this group, legacy is not something to reflect on later; it is something they are actively participating in now, a continuation of a culture that sustains itself and defines what it means to be the best.
Gerson Goncalves provides calm during the storm for Petro.
When winning means more
If the Season 4 BAL title validated Petro’s status, last August’s AfroBasket reshaped their perspective. After 12 long years without a continental crown, Angola reclaimed the AfroBasket title, winning it for the 12th time and cementing its place as the country with the most championships. That 12-year gap made this victory particularly elusive, a reminder that even the most prolific teams face moments of challenge, expectation, and the weight of history.
In a fairytale run, the national team went undefeated at home, playing in front of packed arenas every night. The roar of 12,000 fans made it feel like every opponent was facing the full weight of the nation, not just the 12 players on the court. The energy, the expectation, and the pride intertwined, creating a stage that elevated every play, every defensive stop, every fast break.
“For our generation, we hadn’t won anything with the national team,” Gonçalves explained. “So it meant a lot, for us and for the whole country.”
The difference was not just in the result, but in the context in which it occurred. Playing at home transformed the experience into something collective, a shared triumph that extended far beyond the players themselves. It was about connection, between teammates, fans, and the nation.
“We saw the people supporting us,” he said. “At a time when the country wasn’t doing so well, we were able to give them joy. To make them believe.”
That moment reframed what winning meant. It shifted from a personal or team achievement to something deeper: a responsibility to inspire, to lift spirits, and to leave a mark beyond the court. It was a reminder that basketball, at its best, is not just about trophies – it can also lift a nation’s morale.
And when they returned to Petro, they carried that shift with them. “We came back with the same energy, the same focus,” he said. “To do the same thing.”
Growth in parallel
For Childe Dundão, the evolution of Petro de Luanda mirrors his own. “When I was young, I was just trying to play,” he shared. “But when I grew up, my goals changed. I started to take the game more seriously, to become a better professional.”
His path wasn’t guided by early certainty, but shaped through a gradual process of realisation. “I don’t think it’s what I imagined,” he admitted when asked about whether he had thought he would become AfroBasket MVP and now lead as captain. “But I’ve grown into it.”
Standing at 5 ft 6, Dundão’s success has not always been a given; it has been built through repetition, consistency, and an environment that demands progression without forcing it. That growth is now evident in his production.
During the Kalahari Conference this season, he averaged a team-high 18.8 points per game, along with five assists and 2 steals, a significant leap from Season 5, where he averaged 6 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Time, continuity, and simplicity
The nature of the BAL means that compressed conference windows leave little room for adjustment, and a byproduct of this is that time and chemistry become currency, and few teams possess both quite like Petro does.
“We’ve been together for more than six years,” Gonçalves shared. “That chemistry is the key.”
In a league where roster turnover is common and continuity rare, that stability has become their greatest asset. For Petro, chemistry is not an abstract concept that they have ever had to scramble to build, and it has been evident in their on-court decision-making, spacing, and trust.
“We know where to find each other,” he explained. “We know everyone’s spots, I know that Abou will be in the corner. Everything is already understood.”
That understanding removes hesitation. It allows Petro’s players to play instinctively, to move without overthinking, and to trust without second-guessing. It also explains why Petro can translate domestic success into continental performance, a challenge which can be a stumbling block for many teams.
And yet, despite everything they have achieved, there is no sense of reinvention. “Not much has changed,” Gakou reflected. “The base is still here, and we know that if we defend well, we will win,” he said.
This philosophy strips the game back to its essentials, removing complexity in favour of execution. And in that simplicity lies their strength.
Aboubabakar Gakou is a two-way threat for Petro de Luanda.
What they leave behind
For all the systems, structure, and success, the question of legacy remains central. What has Petro de Luanda truly built? Internally, the answer has always been clear.
“It’s the spirit of the team. We are very united, and we play as a team. That’s our identity,” shared Gonçalves. “We don’t play to separate; we play together. Everyone plays for each other.” From the outside, Petro’s dominance appears to be a result of consistency. However, from within, it is something far more deliberate, something constructed with patience.
When asked how they wanted the Petro group to be remembered, the answer came without hesitation: “The most consistent team in the BAL,” shared Dundão with conviction, while Gakou added, “The best team of all time.”
It is an ambitious statement, but it is not an empty one. For Petro, this has never been solely about winning in the moment. It has always been about building something that lasts.
THE Kalahari Conference has highlighted the BAL’s depth of talent across every position. However, based on the opening stretch of games, Nisre Zouzoua has already made a strong case to be recognised among the standout performers of the opening leg.
The Ivorian guard, now in his second BAL campaign with Dar City, has played a central role in the East African side’s early success. Notably, he stands out as the only player on the roster with prior BAL experience, a distinction that has quietly shaped both his influence and responsibility within the group.
Adding to Zouzoua’s experience is a DarCity coaching staff with a proven track record at the highest level of the competition. Head coach Pabi Gueye, the 2023 BAL Coach of the Year, previously led AS Douanes to the finals, while assistant coach Nabil Kabalan was part of the staff that guided Al Ahli Tripoli to the Season 5 title.
Zouzoua’s journey with Dar City, however, began before the main stage. After featuring for FUS Rabat last season, he joined the club ahead of the Road to BAL qualifiers. Although Dar City fell short in the semi-finals, a wildcard would guarantee their entry to the continental showpiece. While much of the local core remained intact, Zouzoua emerged as the only import to carry that journey through, from qualification to this season’s BAL. It’s a decision that would come to define both his role and his connection to the team.
Finishing What They Started
For Zouzoua, returning was not a foregone conclusion. After a campaign that would end short of qualification, there were different paths he could have taken following his first experience in the Basketball Africa League. Instead, he chose continuity, committing himself to a Dar City side still in the early stages of its journey, and one that had only just begun to show what it could become.
“When I first got there, I didn’t really know what to expect,” he shared. “But honestly, just developing the bond that I got with the guys that were there, the coaching staff and the president, I felt like I just wanted to finish what we started.”
Nisre Zouzoua has been impressive for DarCity at the Kalahari Conference. Pictures: The BTO
At just three years of existence, the East African club is still defining its identity. For Zouzoua, that presented something more compelling than certainty: the opportunity to be part of a story in progress. That decision reflects the belief in the project and a desire to be part of something larger than a single season.
“Just a chance to honestly do something for the first time in that country, to help them qualify for the BAL would be something special to me,” he added. “To be a part of history.”
Responsibility and Trust
Being the only returning import has naturally expanded his role within the group. Beyond his production, he has taken on the responsibility of anchoring a group still finding its rhythm, serving as a point of connection between new imports, the local core, and the realities of the Basketball Africa League.
That role is not only about experience, it is also about translation: of expectations, of style, and of the demands that come with competing at this level.
“I’ve had to take on more responsibility,” he explained. “But my teammates encouraged me, my coaches encouraged me, it’s honestly just been fun being able to help the other imports and give them expectations of what it’s going to be like.”
In many ways, his relationship with head coach Pabi Gueye reinforces that responsibility, giving structure to his role while still allowing room for expression.
“He’s hard on me. He holds me accountable,” Zouzoua said. “But he also gives me the freedom to be me on the basketball court.”
It is within that balance, accountability on one end and trust on the other, that Zouzoua has found clarity. Clarity in how he plays, in how he leads, understanding when to assert himself and when to operate within the flow of the team.
Chemistry by Design
On the court, that sense of connection and trust has translated into production, most notably in Zouzoua’s partnership with David Benoit. In a short space of time, the two have developed a rhythm that feels both natural and deliberate, with an ability to shift responsibility depending on the moment.
In the opening game, Benoit’s all-around performance, 27 points, 9 assists, and 5 steals, complemented Zouzoua’s 35-point display, balancing creation and scoring. That dynamic shifted in the next outing, with Benoit taking on a heavier scoring load (39 points), as Zouzoua adjusted, contributing 20 points and five rebounds and helping with the playmaking duties. Even in their first loss, that structure remained evident, despite Zouzoua’s rhythm being disrupted by early foul trouble.
For Zouzoua, that balance is not accidental. It is rooted in a mindset that prioritises decision-making over individual output and ensuring that he doesn’t get too high or too low.
“I’m just trying to make the right play on each possession,” he said. “I try not to get overly high in those moments, just take everything possession by possession.”
When asked about nearing a single-game scoring record, he paused and laughed at the idea of chasing it.
“I figured it out with like four minutes left but I didn’t want to start forcing it,” he added. “If it’s supposed to happen, it’ll happen.”
Nisre Zouzoua played for FUS Rabat in his first BAL in 2025.
A Culture That Travels
Beyond tactics and rotations, Dar City’s identity has been shaped by its culture, one that extends beyond the players on the floor and into the way the group carries itself as a collective. In a league like the Basketball Africa League, playing in a city like Pretoria, crowd support is rarely guaranteed, especially against the home team. Yet, in those moments, Dar City has managed to create something of a home away from home.
“It means everything to us,” Zouzoua said. “That just goes to show the type of culture we have, the family culture that they’ve built.”
Teammates not on the 12-man roster still travelled, still showed up, still invested in the outcome, reinforcing a sense of unity that has become central to the team’s identity. Even in an away environment, that presence carries weight.
“In a game versus Johannesburg, they have the home court advantage, but to look back and see people behind our bench rooting for us, it means a lot.”
Lessons and Margins
This culture is more than just a feel-good story to Zouzoua. It is the foundation for sustained success in a league as competitive as the Basketball Africa League. Having previously played for FUS Rabat, he knows how fine the margins can be.
“I really admired how those guys played together. There wasn’t a team full of huge egos,” he reflected. “Just learning to play together, be together.”
That lesson has carried into this Dar City group, shaping how he and the team approach each game.
“I feel like the teams that stay together, those are the teams that advance,” Zouzoua said. “Basketball is a game of runs, and with so many games in a short time, that’s a lot of runs.” Off-court preparation is equally critical. With a strong start behind them and the playoffs within arm’s reach, the focus remains internal.
“I believe we’re capable of achieving anything,” he said. “As long as we take everything one game at a time, the sky’s the limit.”
For Zouzoua and Dar City, the story is still unfolding. However, if the early signs are anything to go by, the conversations about them are no longer just about potential. They instead shift to a team, and a player, intent on finishing what they started, united by a culture that makes every teammate, every supporter, and every possession count.
THE last time Axel Mpoyo stepped onto the floor at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, he delivered one of the defining performances of Season 5 of the BAL; an electric 8-for-9 shooting display from beyond the arc to secure APR BBC and Rwanda’s first-ever BAL podium finish.
It was a masterclass that had Tracy McGrady on his feet on the sidelines, as the arena buzzed with an energy that felt far bigger than a third-place game. For a moment, it felt as though Rwanda had won it all.
But beyond the spectacle, it signalled something deeper: a nation beginning to understand how to compete, and succeed, on this stage.
In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Mpoyo shared that his recent performance was more than just about the numbers. He said, “That game was one where I found a great rhythm, and everything was going in. I have to thank my teammates for getting me the ball in the right spots.”
He added, “It meant a lot for Rwanda. We showed that we can play at a high level. It gave our fans hope that we can make an impact in this tournament.”
This moment set the stage for a season in which APR BBC could get closer to the number one spot, building on last year’s progress and proving that Rwanda can compete at the top level.
A Season Built for One Goal
Coming into the new season, APR BBC appeared to be a team with unfinished business. Fresh off a Rwandan league title, the organisation made significant signings, moves that pointed clearly toward one ambition: to win the Basketball Africa League and bring the trophy home to Kigali. But just weeks before that vision could materialise, everything changed. APR BBC withdrew from the competition.
Axel Mpoyo delivered a shooting exhibition in last year’s BAL third-place game. Pictures: The BTO
In its place came the RSSB Tigers; a new identity, but with familiar faces. Head coach James Maye transitioned into the Tigers’ setup, alongside a core of APR players, including Mpoyo. The sudden shift raised questions. About continuity. About preparation. And disrupted momentum. For Mpoyo, the experience was as abrupt as it was challenging. “It wasn’t easy, it caught me off guard, but it was out of our control,” said Mpoyo. Yet, within that uncertainty, there was clarity.
“In this sport and in life, things happen. You’ve got to be ready to adjust and stay ready,” he intimated.
Representing Rwanda
When the opportunity arose to remain in the Basketball Africa League through the RSSB Tigers, the decision for Axel Mpoyo and several of his former teammates was rooted in something deeper than circumstance.
“First and foremost, representing Rwanda was a big part of our decision, and getting the chance to play in the BAL… We don’t take that for granted.”
It speaks to a broader sense of purpose, one that extends beyond club allegiances. For APR’s core, this served as a way for Rwanda to preserve continuity, identity and ambition, which is crucial as the BAL continues to grow exponentially and pivots towards establishing franchises.
“This league is going to be one of the best in the world.” And Rwanda is intent on growing with it.
Shared Foundations, Aligned Vision
Despite the team change, much of APR’s influence remains embedded within the Tigers. The carryover is not just in personnel, but in mindset. “We just bring that championship mentality, that intensity, that togetherness,” said Mpoyo.
That foundation, built through APR’s run to a podium finish last season, has helped accelerate RSSB’s adjustment to the BAL stage. It has also shaped how the group approaches pressure, preparation, and expectations.
Equally important has been the blend of leadership on the sidelines. Former APR head coach James Maye has joined forces with RSSB’s Henry Mwinuka, creating a dual-coaching dynamic that has, so far, delivered balance rather than friction.
“They complement each other well; they both understand the game at a high level and can relate to players,” he says. It’s a partnership that mirrors the team itself, with different backgrounds and a shared vision.
Axel Mpoyo has given the Tigers quality minutes coming off the bench.
Chemistry Under Pressure Silencing Doubt
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the RSSB Tigers’ start is how they quickly fused and find themselves 2-0 in the Kalahari Conference. With limited preparation time, their cohesion has had less to do with structure and focused more on shared understanding. “The chemistry is growing every day. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we’re all on the same page,” said Mpoyo.
In a short time, the team has established an identity rooted in trust, resilience, and accountability. “We’ve got each other’s backs, there’s no pressure. We’re going to make mistakes, but we pick each other up.”
That internal clarity has created freedom on the court and an environment where players are encouraged to play instinctively and without hesitation.
“When everybody can be themselves and play freely, it helps the team go further.”
And that freedom has translated directly into performance, which was evident in the statement win over Petro de Luanda, where the Tigers battled until the final moments to secure an 82–78 victory, an indicator of both their resilience and collective belief. If there were any lingering doubts about Rwanda’s presence in Season 6, RSSB’s opening games have answered them emphatically with two wins, built on cohesion and collective execution, from a team that looks far more settled than its circumstances would suggest.
Adaptability as Identity
For Mpoyo, the approach to the season is measured, his goals simple and grounded. “I’m just taking it game by game and trying to be as consistent as I can,” he said. “Everybody has the same goal: to keep the trophy in Kigali.”
It’s a goal tied to something bigger than basketball, a sense of pride that runs deeper than the court. “It’s been a blessing to represent Rwanda, and I don’t take it for granted.” Those early performances have only reinforced the belief within the group. “It felt really good and showed us what we can do if we play together,” reflected Mpoyo. “It gave us confidence. We know we have a lot more work to do, but we have the potential to make a run.”
Through the highs of last season and the uncertainty of this one, Mpoyo has discovered something fundamental, not just about the game, but about himself: “I’ve learned that I can adjust to multiple situations.”
In a tournament defined by change, that adaptability has become both his and the team’s defining identity.
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