City Thunder targets maximum points in Eldoret and Kisumu trips

ANU Wolfspack's Byron Omondi (left) and David Deng of Nairobi City Thunder during their KBF Premier League match at Nyayo Gymnasium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi City Thunder will take their Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Men’s Premier League title defence battle to Eldoret and Kisumu this weekend.

This will be the only men’s top-tier match this weekend following the unavailability of Nyayo Gymnasium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, and African Nazarene University indoor court. Other matches will be played at the United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) grounds.

Champions Thunder will be on a mission to bag maximum points and maintain their unbeaten run. Today, Thunder will face off with Eldonets Platinum at Uasin Gishu High School in a hunt for their ninth win of the season. The Bradley Ibs-coached side will be looking to exert dominance over Platinum and also extend their winning streak, now in its third season.

The two-time champions will then proceed to Kisumu, where they will clash with their hosts, Lakeside, at the Kenya School of Government (KSG). Thunder go into the two clashes as favourites thanks to their dominant show spanning three seasons.

Despite taking a break from the league to focus on the 2026 Basketball Africa League, Thunder are now back at the top of the standings with 16 points, and a double victory will see them stretch their lead to 20, four more than their closest challengers, Umoja Basketball Club.

Umoja, who will not be in action, got a reprieve after KBF rescinded a decision to penalise them for an alleged forfeiture against former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Lakeside, who returned to the top tier this season, will be looking to win so they can move out of the relegation zone. They are second from the bottom with eight points but have five first-leg matches at hand.

On the other hand, Platinum’s fortitude will be put to the test as they come to terms with the sudden demise of their player Neville Otieno, who was laid to rest a fortnight ago.

In the Women’s Premier League title race, second on the table, Stanbic Aces will take on University of Nairobi (UoN) Dynamites in a bid to narrow the point gap between them and leaders KPA. Aces have 13 points from seven outings, while unbeaten champions KPA top the table with 18. In another tie, Eldonets Ladies will welcome Th3 Swish at Uasin Gishu High School.

In the Men’s Division One, USIU-A Tigers will intensify their return to the Premier League campaign today against Moi Air Base (MAB).