Rwanda’s representative in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2025, APR Basketball Club, made history on June 9 by advancing to the semifinals for the first time with a commanding 104–73 win over Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
APR became only the second Rwandan team to reach the BAL semifinals, achieving the feat in Season 5 after the Patriots did so in the inaugural season.
The army team started strong, led by new signing and South Sudan international Nuni Omot, whose flawless shooting helped the team race to a 24–11 lead by the end of the first quarter. Rivers Hoopers struggled to contain APR’s offensive rhythm and failed to slow down the most complete APR squad in recent memory.
James Maye’s side continued to dominate in the second quarter, moving the ball efficiently and defending strongly in the paint. By halftime, APR had extended their lead to 57–32.
In the third quarter, APR began rotating their lineup—learning from last season’s injury setbacks—yet still controlled the game, entering the final period with a 31-point advantage (83–52).
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Coach Maye used the final quarter to give bench players valuable minutes. Even then, APR maintained their dominance, closing the game with a stunning 104–73 victory.
APR’s shooting efficiency was pivotal, hitting 40 of 62 shots (64%) compared to the Hoopers’ 24 of 75 (32%). From behind the arc, APR shot 11 of 22 (50%), while the Nigerian champions went just 7 of 30 (23.3%).
Anunwa Omot Nuni led APR with 21 points, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Chasson Randle added 15 points and dished out 10 assists, while Aliou Diarra recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
For Rivers Hoopers, Madut Akec, another South Sudan international also scored 21 points, going 7 of 17 from the field.
In the day’s other quarterfinal, defending champions Petro de Luanda defeated 2022 champions US Monastir 95–84 to extend their streak of reaching every BAL semifinal since the league began in 2020.
Back-to-back Rwandan champions APR will face Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the semifinal, while Petro de Luanda takes on Egypt’s Al Ahly.
This marks APR’s first appearance in a continental semifinal since the 2009 FIBA Africa Club Championship, which was held in Kigali.
