Rwandan powerhouse Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) made history on Friday, securing third place at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2025 with a statement 123–90 win over Egypt’s Al Ittihad. The victory marked the best-ever finish for a Rwandan club in the BAL and came with a record-breaking twist.
APR’s 123 points set a new all-time single-game scoring record in the BAL, surpassing Al Ahli Tripoli’s 115-point outing against Nairobi City Thunder earlier this season.
Even without injured 2023 BAL MVP Nuni Omot, APR came out laser-focused. Led by Chasson Randle, Ntore Habimana, and Aliou Diarra, the team jumped to a 14-0 lead before Deng Deng finally ended the drought for Ittihad.
From there, APR’s dominance never wavered. They closed the first quarter up 38–19 and led by a jaw-dropping 74–34 at halftime. With Axel Mpoyo’s hot hand leading the charge, the team drained an astonishing 26 three-pointers on 46 attempts. APR finished the game with energy, precision and a clear message: Rwandan basketball has arrived.
A Team That Goes Beyond Basketball
APR is not just a basketball club. Based in Kigali and owned by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), the team represents much more than wins and losses. Founded in 1993 during the liberation struggle of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), APR began as a way to engage soldiers during a ceasefire in the Arusha peace talks. Since then, it has grown into a symbol of national pride and resilience.
The club, which also has successful football and volleyball programs, is the most decorated team in Rwandan basketball history, with 14 national titles. It invests heavily in youth development, operating an academy that nurtures players from as young as U10—developing not just athletes, but future leaders.
Exclusive: William Robeyns on Legacy, BAL, and Inspiration
Following the historic win, we spoke with William Robeyns, the Belgian-Rwandan wing who played a key role in APR’s Sahara Conference run and bronze-medal finish. When a teammate yelled “Let’s go!” after the buzzer, Robeyns smiled and said:
“You see? Everyone’s happy. It’s amazing. What an experience. We’ve learned a lot and we’ll be back next year.”
On breaking the scoring record:
“We didn’t just want to win. We wanted to make a statement. At halftime, we already had 40 points and we knew we had to keep pushing. This club has character—we came to prove that.”
On representing APR, a team that’s much more than basketball:
“My mom is Rwandan, so I am too. There’s history behind this club. It means a lot. It’s deeper than basketball, and we try to show that every day.”
On the BAL’s impact:
“This league is something else. It’s helping develop talent across Africa and create opportunities—on and off the court. It’s great for the youth. There’s growth happening here.”
Robeyns also took a moment to salute Adonis Filer, his teammate and fellow contributor to Rwandan basketball’s growth:
“He didn’t win the Ubuntu Trophy (won by Kriol Star’s Joel Almeida), but he absolutely deserves recognition. He’s doing incredible work in Rwanda, and there are so many others like him.”
His message to aspiring players:
“Keep working. Surround yourself with good people. And keep dreaming.”
Mpoyo’s Magical Night
While APR’s collective performance was stunning, one player stood out statistically. Axel Mpoyo led the way with 32 points, including a jaw-dropping 10 three-pointers—setting a BAL all-time record for most made threes in a single game. His sharpshooting lit up the SunBet Arena and sealed APR’s legacy in this year’s tournament.
