Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, has praised RSSB Tigers for the determination and commitment they showed during the 2026 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Beijing, China.
In a message posted on her X account, Mukazayire congratulated the team for making history as the first Rwandan club to compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup and for finishing fourth.
“We sincerely thank RSSB Tigers for making history as the first team from Rwanda to reach the FIBA Intercontinental Cup and for finishing fourth. Thank you for playing with determination and commitment as you represented Rwanda and Africa,” she wrote.
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup, which brings together clubs that have won championships in their respective continents, concluded on Sunday, September 27.
NBA G League United of the United States won the tournament after beating Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania, representing Europe, 101-87 in the final.
RSSB Tigers entered the competition as representatives of Africa after winning the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title.
The Rwandan side missed out on a podium finish after suffering a 93-62 defeat to Argentina’s Club Atlético Boca Juniors, which represented South America, in the third-place playoff. The result saw RSSB Tigers finish fourth among the six teams that competed in the tournament.
A team from the United States had not won the Intercontinental Cup since 1974, when the Maryland Terrapins claimed the title. Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya holds the best finish by an African team in recent editions, having placed third in 2025.
After completing their campaign in Beijing, RSSB Tigers were received by Rwanda’s Ambassador to China, Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake, before beginning their journey back to Kigali.
The team is expected to arrive in Rwanda on Tuesday, September 29, at 9 a.m. Kigali time.
