Thunder hungry for excellence as they seek to write more history

Paul Ereng (L) of Nairobi City Thunder tackle tackle Ariel Okal of NBK Phoenix during their Kenya Basketball Federation League match at Nyayo Gymnasium stadium on May 10, 2025.UON Terror won 59-53. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Nairobi City Thunder are buoyant ahead of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference that begins on Sunday at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

The history-making Kenyan champions are determined to book a ticket to the BAL final play-offs set for June 6-14 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. They have been in camp preparing for the Nile challenge and are now set to depart on Wednesday afternoon for Kigali.

Thunder face hosts Armee Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) Rwanda, Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli and South Africa champions Made by Ball Blue Soldiers (MBB).

While APR automatically qualified for the Nile Conference, Al Ahli earned their ticket after winning the Road to BAL West Division whereas MBB were wildcard beneficiaries. Thunder won the East Division in Kenya last year.

After monitoring all his players and tying loose ends to their preparations, Thunder head coach Bradley Ibs selected a formidable squad that will battle three other teams for places in the final.

Kenya Morans' star Tylor Ongwae maintains the armband thanks to his great leadership skills and he is expected to ensure that Thunder bags the ticket.

Ongwae, a small forward with immense experience having played professional basketball in different leagues across the globe has been key to Thunder's success right from the qualification stage.

Thunder Team Manager Bernet Ojay said that Ibs and his technical bench had a selection headache due the quality of players in the team.

"It was not easy for us to select the final 12 because our players are all exceptional. Ongwae maintained the captaincy because he is not just a brilliant player but also a great leader," Ojay said.

He believes Thunder will seal one of the direct tickets to Pretoria even though they will be up against strong sides.

"We are ready for the challenge and I believe that we are equal to task because we work hard to reach this level just as our opponents did. We have set our eyes on the prize and we will give our best so we can remain in the race for the BAL trophy."

Coach Ibs brought in new faces in slight changes to the squad that played in the Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division.

Centre Cheick Mbacke, power forward Paul Ekiru Ereng and shooting guard Evans Ganapamo are new faces on the Thunder roster. Power forward William Davis makes a comeback to the squad having missed the Elite 16 contest after sustaining an injury during the first round of qualifiers held in Kibaha, Tanzania.

Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu and combo guard Garang Diing, who earned his first call-up to the South Sudanese national team after his brilliant show with Thunder maintained their places on the roster.

The duo alongside Kenya Morans stars Derrick Ogechi, Ariel Okal, Albert Odero, Eugine Adera as well as youngster David Etyang were in the Elite 16 squad. However, Ken Wachira who was also instrumental in Thunder's qualification did not make the final squad.

THUNDER BAL SQUAD

Tylor Ongwae (Small forward / Captain)

Derrick Ogechi (Shooting guard

Albert Odero (Shooting guard)

Cheikh Mbacke (Center)

Paul Ereng (Power forward)

Eugine Adera (Point Guard)

Ariel Okal (Power forward)

Uchenna Iroegbu (point guard)

Garang Diing (Combo guard)

Evans Ganapamo (Shooting guard)

William Davis (Power forward)

David Etyang (Point guard)

Bradley Ibs (Head coach)

Matthew Binder (Assistant coach)

Rose Mshila (Assistant coach)