KIGALI (Rwanda) - Rwanda Energy Group (REG) are the new BK Basketball National League champions after sweeping Patriots 2-0 in the Best-Of-Three Finals playoffs at the Kigali Arena over the weekend.

Henry Mwinuka's side edged his former team 66-63 in the first game on Friday before cementing their supremacy this season with a 64-49 victory the next day. 

"WE NEVER GAVE UP AND WE WERE PATIENT FOR THIS MOMENT BUT IT ALSO REMINDED US HOW SWEET AND GREAT WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP IS. WE ARE GOING TO THE BAL AND THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK EVEN HARDER. THE BEST IS YET TO COME."
- Olivier Shyaka

 The Tanzanian tactician, who masterminded REG's second national triumph, admitted that this achievement is a life-changing one in his coaching career and told FIBA.basketball that, "We have worked hard this season and all the work during the season has paid off and we are going to the BAL next year."

This is Mwinuka's fourth league title in Rwanda having won three previous ones with the Patriots in 2016, 2018 and 2019 before leaving the latter after the first round of the inaugural BAL Qualifiers where the Patriots had won four games unbeaten in his hometown Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. 

"I remember when I was hired by REG, I told my employers that we would use the first year to build a team and then win a championship in the second year. I am so relieved that this plan has been effected thanks to the commitment of the players. This is like a big dream. I am so happy."

"There was a lot of pressure because the players have been telling me that REG has lost three straight finals and that in itself needed to change. We needed to win something for our management and the fans and to be honest, it really feels good."

Mwinuka is lifted by his players in celebration 

At the heart of REG's victory was Rwanda's national team captain Olivier Shyaka who had to dig deep to produce one of his best career performances especially in Game Two that saw him register 22 points and pick eight rebounds to inspire his side to a memorable win in front of their fans en route to being named the Most Valuable Player. 

In an exclusive interview, he said, "Winning is fun for sure but winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting go is the point. Never being satisfied with what you have done is the point. It means to the team that whee there is unity, there is always victory."

"We never gave up and were patient for this moment but it also reminded us how sweet and great winning a championship is. We are going to the BAL and this means that we have to work even harder. The best is yet to come."

As Rwandan champions, REG have automatically qualified for the second edition of the BAL that will take place next year and join the league champions of Angola, Egypt, Nigeria [yet to be determined], Senegal and Tunisia who also have an automatic ticket to the final tournament.

"Qualifying for the BAL is a dream to me and to us as a team. We always want to shine and be great players and the BAL is the way to grow. It is a door to professionalism because it is a high-level competition that will help me and my teammates to showcase our talent. We now want to be ready to fight till the final for the honor of our club and for our country."

REG have already hinted at recruiting big guns in preparation for the new BAL season next year in addition to their current lineup that boasts of Rwanda national team players like captain Elie Kaje, Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, celebrated veteran Kami Kabange as well as Canadian import Dennis Keannea and American Adonis Filer who was named as the Best Point Guard on the Team Of The Year . 

His teammate Belleck Bell from Cameroon was named as the Best Shooting Guard while Patriots' Dieudonne Ndizeye Ndayisaba and Bush Wamukota from Kenya were awarded as the Best Small Forward and Center in that order. 

FIBA