APR Overpowers MBB in Kigali with Diarra and Ndoye Dominance to Stay Unbeaten in Nile Conference

APR Overpowers MBB in Kigali with Diarra and Ndoye Dominance to Stay Unbeaten in Nile Conference

APR Basketball Club extended their impressive run in the 2025 Nile Conference with a commanding 103-81 victory over the struggling MBB, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament's early powerhouses. The game, held at a buzzing BK Arena in Kigali, saw the Rwandan side overturn an early deficit to dismantle their South African opponents with poise and precision.

The hosts didn't have it easy to start. In fact, MBB came out swinging, clearly galvanized by their narrow loss to Al Ahly Tripoli on opening day. With a sharp offensive rhythm and aggressive ball movement, the South African outfit seized the early momentum, closing the first quarter with a narrow 26-23 lead. For a moment, it looked like MBB might claw their way back into the competition and shake off their shaky start.

But APR had other plans. Led by their towering Malian center, Aliou Diarra, the home side quickly found their rhythm in the second quarter. Diarra, a relentless force in the paint, turned the tide with his physical presence and composure under pressure. He posted an emphatic double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds—anchoring both ends of the floor and sending a clear message to the rest of the league.

By halftime, APR had closed the gap and trailed by only two points (47-45), but the shift in momentum was unmistakable. From that point on, it was a different game entirely.

The third quarter proved decisive. APR exploded out of the break with a blistering 28-12 run, completely overwhelming MBB on offense and defense. Their transition game kicked into gear, and the ball movement became smoother and faster, exposing gaps in the Tigers' defense. The South African side struggled to respond, and by the time the final quarter began, APR had fully seized control.

Adding to Diarra's stellar performance was Youssoupha Ndoye, who led all scorers with 25 points and came within a single rebound of his own double-double. His mid-post dominance and consistency from the free-throw line kept the scoreboard ticking. Axel Olenga Mpoyo added solid contributions, finishing with 12 points and four rebounds, while Chasson Jemar Randle brought flair and orchestration from the backcourt, tallying 10 points, three rebounds, and six assists.

For MBB, the loss marked their second in as many games—a worrying start for a team that had hoped to contend in this year's conference. Teafale Lenard Jr. scored 20 points, Jovan Mooring contributed 17, and Pieter Prinsloo chipped in 13. Despite the trio's efforts, the Tigers couldn't keep pace with APR's relentless second-half surge. Their defense faltered, their ball movement grew stagnant, and the energy that had defined their strong start faded rapidly.

At the post-game press conference, APR's head coach, James Edward Maye Jr., struck a composed tone as he looked ahead to the next challenge—an upcoming clash with Al Ahly Tripoli, the team that had handed MBB their opening loss.

“Tripoli are a very good team,” Maye acknowledged. “We just finished our game today, and we’re going to rest and recover. But we’re already scouting and preparing for our next game.”

When asked about the strategy for facing such a formidable opponent, he remained tight-lipped, his confidence clear but measured.

“It’s just another game, another bump in the road. But we’re a strong defensive team, and we’re planning to keep it that way.”

With this second consecutive victory, APR remains unbeaten and sends a strong message to the rest of the field: they are not here to merely participate — they are here to win. And if their performance at the BK Arena is anything to go by, stopping them will be no small feat.

Meanwhile, for MBB, the pressure is mounting. With two losses and a tough road ahead, they find themselves backed into a corner. To revive their campaign, they will need more than a strong start—they will need the discipline, endurance, and execution that APR displayed so well.
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[Photography Courtesy of Cheick Haidara/The BAL]