APR's dream of a Basketball Africa League (BAL) title may have ended on Wednesday with an 84-71 loss to a resilient Al Ahli Tripoli side, but what they achieved in their very first playoff appearance is nothing short of remarkable.
Facing one of the tournament’s most balanced teams, APR showed courage, flashes of brilliance, and a will to fight that has defined their historic run in this year’s competition. From group stages to the final four, the Rwandan champions played with pride, passion, and the kind of chemistry that hints at a bright future.
The semifinal clash in SunBet Arena was an intense, back-and-forth battle — not an easy game by any stretch. Nuni Omot, who has grown into a pivotal figure since joining APR just before the playoffs, set the tone early with 10 points in the first quarter. His leadership and creativity helped APR take a narrow 18-17 lead and signaled that they were ready for the big stage.
Though Al Ahli Tripoli, powered by standout performances from Fabian White Jr. (23 points, 7 rebounds) and Jean-Jacques Boissy, turned the game around by halftime (36-29), APR refused to back down. They roared into the third quarter with fire, taking a 47-40 lead behind the combined efforts of Omot, Aliou Diarra, Chasson Randle, Youssou Ndoye, and Ntore Habimana.
The game continued to swing like a pendulum, thrilling fans with every possession. Even as Al Ahli surged back and snatched a narrow lead in the fourth quarter, APR kept responding, kept believing. Randle’s clutch three-pointer and late free throws kept hope alive. But in the final minutes, the Libyan side’s experience and composure made the difference.
Still, this semifinal loss does not define APR’s tournament — their journey does. Reaching the BAL final four in their playoff debut is a significant milestone, not just for the club but for Rwandan basketball as a whole. They’ve earned their place among Africa’s elite teams and have proven that they belong on this stage.
Head coach James Maye and his squad will now turn their attention to Friday’s third-place playoff against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ittihad. A win there would secure a podium finish — the perfect punctuation mark on what has already been a successful campaign.
The trophy is no longer within reach, but the Rwandan champs walked away with something important: belief, experience, and a roadmap for the future. The bar has been set. And if this year was any indication, they’re just getting started.