Despite a 90-68 defeat to Libyan powerhouse Al Ahli Tripoli on Tuesday evening, Rwanda’s APR Basketball Club remains well-positioned in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference qualifiers, holding onto second place after the conclusion of the first leg.
Al Ahli Tripoli, still unbeaten in the conference, pulled away late to secure the win, but APR delivered a determined performance that keeps their playoff hopes firmly alive. South Africa’s Made by Ball sits in third place, while Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder rounds out the standings. The top two teams, and the top third-placed team across all conferences will earn a ticket to the BAL Playoffs scheduled to take place in Pretoria next month.
The final score was not fully reflective of APR’s spirited effort, particularly in the first half. Spurred by an electric home crowd at BK Arena, the Rwandan side came out strong, taking a 17-11 lead in the opening quarter thanks to sharp play from guard Obadiah Noel, who finished with a team-high 18 points.
Even without Aliou Diarra, who is sidelined by injury, APR showed resilience throughout the second quarter. The teams traded baskets in a tightly contested period until Al Ahli's Jean-Jacques Boissy sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the visitors a narrow 42-41 halftime lead. Boissy, continuing his standout tournament run, led all scorers with 27 points. His teammate Naseim Badrush contributed 25 points and 7 rebounds.
The third quarter saw APR losing momentum, as Al Ahli Tripoli’s experience and firepower began to show. While both teams struggled offensively, the Libyans began to stretch their lead, entering the final quarter up 61-52. With APR feeling the absence of Diarra’s physical presence and rim protection, Al Ahli Tripoli seized control in the closing minutes.
Despite the result, APR head coach James Maye Jr. remained positive after the game, highlighting his team's ongoing development and determination. “We’re continuing to compete hard, and the guys are responding well,” he said. “We know what’s at stake, and the goal is still very much within reach.” On Diarra’s condition, Maye added: “He’s in good spirits, moving around pretty well. It’s a day-to-day situation, and our medical team is working diligently to get him back.”
With the path to the BAL Playoffs still open, APR will look to bounce back on Thursday. Their strong start in the qualifiers, coupled with home support and the possibility of Diarra’s return, gives Rwandan fans every reason to believe that APR can finish strong and make it to the post season.