The RSSB Tigers, representing Rwanda and the African continent, began their FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2026 campaign on a disappointing note, losing to Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania with a score of 107-89. The match took place on September 22, 2026, at the Beijing National Indoor Stadium in China, which has a capacity for 20,000 spectators. The event was attended by notable figures, including Rwanda's Ambassador to China, Lt Gen (Rtd) Karake Karenzi, and Regis Rugemanshuro, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).
The RSSB Tigers made history by becoming the first Rwandan team to participate in this tournament, following their qualification after winning the 2026 African championship held in Kigali in June. The game against Rytas Vilnius was closely contested, with both teams displaying strong performances from players such as Gytis Radzevicius and Teafale Lenard Jr. for Rytas Vilnius, and Nisre Zouzoua and Craig Randall II for RSSB Tigers.
The first quarter ended with Rytas Vilnius leading 22-19. In the second quarter, the game remained competitive, but Nisre Zouzoua helped RSSB Tigers reduce the deficit, taking the lead 30-34. However, in the final minutes of the half, Rytas Vilnius increased their lead, courtesy of Gytis Masiulis and Ricky Lindo Jr, ending the first half with a 47-39 advantage.
The third quarter saw Rytas Vilnius further extend their lead to 19 points (63-44), thanks to contributions from Kay Bruhnke and Augustas Marciulionis. On the other hand, RSSB Tigers struggled with turnovers and Craig Randall II, known for his three-point shots, failed to make an impact. The quarter ended with Rytas Vilnius leading 79-59.
The final quarter was a closely contested affair, with both teams scoring evenly through players like Craig Randall II and Kay Bruhnke. However, Rytas Vilnius managed to secure a 30-28 win in the quarter. The game concluded with RSSB Tigers losing 107-89 to Rytas Vilnius, marking a challenging start to their FIBA Intercontinental Cup campaign.
Kay Bruhnke of Rytas Vilnius was the top scorer with 22 points, while Craig Randall II of RSSB Tigers scored 20 points. The RSSB Tigers are set to face Shanghai Sharks of China on September 23, 2026, in their next match.
Despite the loss, the RSSB Tigers' participation in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup marks a significant milestone for Rwandan basketball. The team's performance and experience in the tournament will be crucial for their growth and future competitions.
Key points
- RSSB Tigers, Rwanda's basketball team, lost to Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania 107-89 in their FIBA Intercontinental Cup debut.
- The RSSB Tigers made history as the first Rwandan team to participate in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
- The team's next match is against Shanghai Sharks of China on September 23, 2026.
