Although I am seated near a bunch of Al Ahly fans, behind their team’s bench, I am rooting for AS Douanes. This crash of the titans will culminate in the crowning of the BAL Season 3 champions.

As the clock ticks toward the end of the first quarter, one thing is clear: Al Ahly has better chemistry. Led by the eventual winner of the Hakeem Olajuwon MVP award, Nuni Omot, the Egyptian giants take an early lead and maintain their composure even after AS Douanes ties the game late in the second quarter.

Win or lose, I am proud of my boy Jean Jacques Boissy. A few years ago, I said he was not ready to suit it up for my Rwandan team, the Patriots. When he eventually joined UGB, I thought we made the right decision to let him go.

While studying and playing basketball in Rwanda, Boissy demonstrated unparalleled work ethic. I used to see him sharpening his axe early in the morning at Amahoro Stadium. I would show up at 6 o’clock expecting to be the first person to arrive, only to find him already drenched in sweat.

Thanks to his regular and consistent workouts, Boissy has always been in a superb shape. Even my skeptical self never questioned his conditioning from day one. Fast forward to 2023, he has added a couple of inches to his frame. The fiery competitor is ready to take his game to the next level. After seeing him leading Papi Gueye’s side to the BAL final, the phrase "hard work pays off" sounds more convincing than ever before.

It has been a great week of hoops here in Kigali. Whether you are a basketball fan or not, you have to admit, the BAL paints this city red. Hopefully, we will host the tourney again in a near future. Meanwhile, congratulations to Al Ahly.