Noel hit the game-winning shot to send APR to their first BAL playoff

It's not how you start, but how you finish that matters! This popular saying proved to be the most accurate description of the last game of the 2025 Nile Conference game between hosts APR and Nairobi City Thunder.

The Nairobi City Thunder led for all but 5:11 minutes. However, when Obadiah Noel hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer with three seconds remaining, there was nothing the Thunder could do, and APR escaped with a 77-74 victory.

With the win, APR finished second in the Nile Conference, securing the final automatic playoff berth.

FUS Rabat earned the eighth and final playoff spot with the best third-place record from the Kalahari and Nile Conferences.

APR scored the first four points of the game, but the Kenyan champions responded with six straight points to send a message about their intentions.

The Thunder seemed unfazed by the nearly sold-out BK Arena, which was mostly filled with APR fans.

They closed the opening quarter with a two-point lead (19-17).

The Thunder led the second and third quarters and most of the fourth until Noel put the home team in front, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Before Noel's game-changing shot, however, the Thunder responded to every APR attempt to close the gap with their own offense, especially Albert Odero, who did everything right for the Kenyan champions.

The Lions, as APR are colloquially known, absorbed the positive energy from the stands. Patiently, they made a few stops, forcing the Thunder to turn the ball over four times in the last quarter.

Axel Mpoyo tied the game (68-68) for the first time in the second half with 4:38 left.

After a minute without scoring from either team, center Youssoupha Ndoye made one of two free throws to give APR their first second-half lead (69-68), before Uchenna Iruegbu tied it at 69-69.

The Nigerian then hit a three-pointer for a 72-69 Thunder lead, making the outcome of the game more uncertain with two minutes left.

Eventually, Noel, who had been relatively quiet in the final quarter, showed up.

As the shot clock wound down, Noel and Aliou Diarra seemed uncertain about their pick-and-roll, but Noel later insisted that it was part of the game plan.

"We weren't lost. We just needed to adjust our spacing," he told BAL.NBA.com, adding: “Everyone knows I can attack the rim."

He continued, saying: "I saw them coming. I couldn't force it. I passed the ball to Diarra, got it back, and he set the screen. Then, you know what happened: I made the shot, and it went down. I give all glory to God,” an elated Noel explained.

Last season, Noel made headlines when he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer that helped APR tie the game against US Monastir at 78–78, sending it to overtime. There, they outlasted the Tunisian champions 11–6 in the remaining five minutes.

"I get that belief from my dad and my family," Noel said.

"I am Guianese, and my people are from Maryland and Guyana. My dad always tells me to be confident in my shot. Shoot it like Kobe and have that Mamba Mentality.”

Noel’s teammate, Aliou Diarra, had a stellar performance, finishing with 22 points, 16 rebounds, eight blocked shots, and the second-highest efficiency rating, 42.

Meanwhile, Odero experienced heartbreak.

He shot 13-for-21, finishing with a game-high 29 points, but couldn’t avoid Nairobi City Thunder’s fifth loss in six Nile Conference games.

"Shout-out to Albert Odero! Not many people know this, but he was my high school teammate in the US," Noel revealed.

"He was my high school teammate in the US. We grew up together and were very close. He was unbelievable in the first half and scored 25 points. I love him. Shout-out to him - he's like a brother to me! But the whole Nairobi City Thunder team played well. It was a good game and a good battle.”

Ahead of APR’s BAL Playoff debut, Noel insisted that they would keep the same energy and fight.

"We are called Lions for a reason. We are going to execute the game plan. Let's try to bring some happiness to our fans."

"I love Rwanda. This is home for me. I’ll come back and play here anytime, any day. The fans mean so much to us, and we’re going to represent them in the playoffs.”

"We're going to maintain the same energy and fight," Noel concluded.