Nairobi City Thunder makes history as first Kenyan team to qualify for BAL

Nairobi City Thunder players Ater Majok (L) and Abdoulaye Haroune celebrate victory against City Oilers during their Basketball Africa League Elite 16 tournament at Kasarani Stadium. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Nairobi City Thunder made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) after defeating Uganda's City Oilers 72-62 in a thrilling encounter at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

The victory, secured in front of a boisterous home crowd, capped Thunder's remarkable debut campaign on the Road to BAL.

The game began with City Oilers taking an early 4-2 lead, courtesy of Parrish Petty. However, Thunder quickly asserted their dominance, with Uche Iroegbu, Tylor Ongwae, and Ater Majok driving the team forward.

Thunder closed the first quarter with an 18-11 lead and extended it early in the second, pulling ahead by double digits at 23-11. City Oilers fought back with Petty's three-pointers keeping them within touching distance, but Thunder maintained control to head into halftime with a 34-26 advantage.

City Oilers came out strong in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just one point at 41-40 with a relentless 6-0 run.

Thunder, however, responded with composure, rebuilding their lead to 54-45, punctuated by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Garang Diing that sent the Kasarani crowd into a frenzy.

The fourth quarter was a test of nerves as Falando Cortez Jones sparked a late Oilers rally with back-to-back three-pointers, bringing the score to 66-60. Despite the pressure, Thunder held firm, with Iroegbu and Majok stepping up in key moments to secure a historic 72-62 win.

Uche Iroegbu was the star of the night, delivering a stellar performance with 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. His calm leadership on the court was instrumental in Thunder's success. Ater Majok contributed a crucial double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, although his seven turnovers kept the game tense at times.

For the Oilers, Parrish Petty shone with his sharpshooting, but the team's struggles from the free-throw line proved costly, missing nine of their 16 attempts. Thunder's dominance in the paint, where they outscored Oilers 34-24, and their timely three-point shooting, going 10-of-29 from beyond the arc, were decisive factors in the game.

Speaking after the match, Thunder head coach Bradley Ibs expressed pride in his team's achievement. "This is a historic moment for us and for the country. We played a great game against a very strong opponent, and my players left everything on the court to achieve this," he said.

Team captain Tylor Ongwae credited their rigorous preparation. "We've been grinding for three months to prepare for this. It's been tough, but that preparation propelled us here. We're proud to make history for Kenya," Ongwae said.

City Oilers head coach Andrew Tendo acknowledged his team's shortcomings. "We had a slow start and allowed them to build a lead that we couldn't close. It's a wake-up call to prepare better for the next opportunity," he said.

Nairobi City Thunder's qualification is a milestone for Kenyan basketball, signaling a rise in the sport's profile on the continent. As the team prepares for BAL 2025, their historic achievement has set a new standard for Kenyan basketball, inspiring players and fans alike.