The reigning champions, APR Basketball Club and REG Women’s Basketball Club, claimed the maiden Rwanda Super Cup, signaling their determination to defend their league titles as the new championship tips off in one week.
On January 17, the first-ever Rwanda Super Cup saw the league champion face the Rwanda Cup winner to mark the beginning of the new basketball season in both the men’s and women’s categories.
In the men’s game, APR extended their dominance over Rwanda Energy Group (REG), securing a 73-53 win.
Aliou Diarra led the charge with a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Israel Otobo’s competitive debut ended prematurely due to a knee injury.
The 2.03-meter Nigerian center remained on the bench for treatment and, after the game, received his medal in a wheelchair, surrounded by his teammates.
Despite Otobo’s injury, APR’s performance remained strong, with Osborn Shema and Diarra stepping up against an unfit Francis Azolipe, who was making his REG debut.
APR’s win over REG emphasizes the Army team’s dominance over the electricians, as they beat them in every competition they met in last season, including a 3-0 sweep in the playoffs, which paved their way to the finals.
In the women’s category, Lamla Umunezero’s 20 points led REG to a 76-64 upset over APR, securing their first trophy of 2025.
REG has dominated APR in this category, having defeated them in a one-sided seven-game final series to win the RBL 2024 title, outscoring them in the FIBA WBLA Zonal Qualifiers, and now triumphing in the Rwanda Super Cup.
The two games, played at BK Arena on Friday night, revealed that both teams still lack fitness ahead of the championship, which will tip off in one week.
APR BBC and REG WBBC will begin their quests to defend their league titles on Friday and Saturday, respectively, against Flame and UR.
Photos: Innocent Shema
