Africa-Press – Rwanda. APR Basketball Club have been dealt a big blow as they could play the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) without two of their key players, Osborn Shema and Nobel Boungou, who face lengthy spells on the sidelines through injuries.
The duo featured in APR’s 94-92 win over United Generation Basketball (UGB) in the 2025 basketball GMT final held at Petit Stade indoor gymnasium on Sunday, April 27, but they couldn’t finish the match as they left the court injured.
Scans have confirmed that Shema tore his ACL and is expected to be out for six to nine months, while Boungou, 36, tore his Achilles tendon and will be out for eight-12 months.
Doctors attend to Shema who was visibly in pain after injuring his ACL
The medical team takes Shema off the court after suffering a horror injury during Sunday’s GMT final against UGB-Photo by Kellya Raissa Keza
APR will begin their BAL 2025 campaign with the Nile Conference which will run from May 17-25 at BK Arena, with spots for the playoffs and finals due in Pretoria, South Africa from May 27 to June 4, up for grabs.
Standing at 2.02m, Boungou signed for APR in March alongside former NBA star Jordan McRae, just two months before playing BAL.
The Congolese-French small forward has competed at the highest level in France, representing clubs such as Antibes Sharks and Metropolitans 92 as well as the French national team.
He has also played in Italy, where he won the Italian Basketball Cup with Fiat Torino.
While APR were hoping to count on his experience at the competition, they will be made to find an alternate solution after losing him to an injury, days before the BAL.
Meanwhile, Shema has, until the injury, been among the standout performers in the domestic league this season, making remarkable contributions to APR’s impressive regular season.
Fans were visibly shocked when APR star Osborn Shema suffered the injury which could keep him on the sidelines for close to eight months
APR’s Israel Otobo is seen shocked by Shema’s injury
JKL Dolphins’ player looked stunned by Shema’s horrific injury
Shema is seen being walked off the court after the injury
For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press
