APR Rwanda Crushes Rivers Hoopers 104-73, Sets Up Thrilling BAL Semifinals Clash with Al Ahli Tripoli

Pretoria, South Africa - In one of the most dominant performances of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs, Rwanda's APR Basketball Club delivered a masterclass against Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers, securing a commanding 104-73 victory at the Sunbet Arena on Monday, June 9th. The 31-point victory margin was the largest winning margin in this year's playoffs, propelling APR into their second-ever BAL semifinal.

Complete Domination from Start to Finish

From tip-off to the final buzzer, APR dominated both ends of the court, never trailing in the contest. APR played aggressively on defence and efficiently on offence, taking a 25-point lead (57-32) at half time. The Rwandan champions controlled every aspect of the game, showcasing the depth and quality that has made them one of Africa's emerging basketball powerhouses.

The standout performers for APR included their key players Aliou Diarra, Nuni Omot, Chasson Randle and Youssou Ndoye, who collectively orchestrated this demolition job against the 2024 BAL bronze medalists. Their chemistry and execution were evident throughout the contest as they consistently found open looks and capitalized on Rivers Hoopers' defensive lapses.

Injury Concern Clouds Victory

Despite the emphatic victory, APR's celebration was somewhat dampened by an injury to point guard Obadiah during the game. The extent of the injury and its potential impact on APR's semifinal preparations remains a concern for coach James Maye, as Obadiah has been a crucial contributor to the team's success throughout the tournament.

Historic Achievement for Rwandan Basketball

This is only the second time a Rwandan team has made the BAL semi-finals, with the first coming in the inaugural 2021 campaign as Patriots finished fourth. APR's achievement represents another significant milestone for Rwandan basketball and demonstrates the country's growing influence in continental basketball.

They became the second team to cross the 100-point mark after Al Ahli Tripoli outscored Kriol Star 107-81. This offensive explosion showcased APR's ability to compete with the continent's elite teams and their readiness for the challenges ahead.

ALSO READ: Coach Sam Vincent was named as new assistant of APR BBC ahead the BAL’s playoffs

Setting Up the Semifinals

The BAL semifinals are now set, with two mouth-watering encounters scheduled at the Sunbet Arena:

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

4:00 PM - APR (Rwanda) vs. Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) The Rwandan side meet Al Ahli Tripoli in Wednesday's earlier semifinal (4pm). This promises to be a fascinating clash between two teams that have shown remarkable offensive prowess in the quarterfinals. Al Ahli Tripoli demonstrated their firepower by defeating Kriol Star 107-81, setting up what could be a high-scoring affair.

7:00 PM - Al Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt) vs. Clube Atlético Petrolífero de Luanda (Angola) The second semifinal features Egypt's Al Ittihad Alexandria against Angola's defending champions Petro de Luanda. Petro de Luanda qualified for the semifinals after defeating US Monastir, continuing their quest to defend their BAL crown.

Rivers Hoopers' Disappointing Exit

For Rivers Hoopers, who finished third in the 2024 BAL season, this crushing defeat represents a significant step backward. The Hoopers lost 104-73 during their quarter-final clash with the team that is officially known as Armee Patriotique Rwandaise, ending their hopes of improving on last year's bronze medal performance.

Coach Ogoh Odaudu acknowledged APR's superiority, describing them as "formidable foes" after the match. The Nigerian champions will now return home to regroup and plan for future campaigns, knowing they have the talent to compete at this level when firing on all cylinders.

Looking Ahead

As the BAL playoffs reach their climax, APR Rwanda's journey continues to captivate basketball fans across the continent. Their upcoming semifinal against Al Ahli Tripoli represents not just an opportunity to reach the BAL Final, but also a chance to further establish Rwanda as a legitimate basketball powerhouse in Africa.

The winner of Wednesday's semifinals will advance to the BAL Final, where they will face either Al Ittihad Alexandria or defending champions Petro de Luanda. With the tournament being held in South Africa for the first time, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the 2025 Basketball Africa League season.

A story by Ballerzone.