Nairobi City Thunder makes history with BAL qualification
By Rama Mohammed |
Nairobi City Thunder has made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Playing at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Thunder overcame Uganda’s City Oilers 72-62 to secure their place in the 2025 BAL, achieving the milestone in their debut campaign on the Road to BAL.
Nairobi City Thunder has qualified for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on their first attempt.
Playing in front of a lively crowd at the 5,000-seater Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi City Thunder edged out Uganda’s City Oilers 72-62 to secure their place in the 2025 BAL. This victory not only booked their spot but also made Thunder the first Kenyan team to qualify for the league, achieving the milestone on their debut in the Road to BAL.
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The game started with Uganda's Parrish Petty giving the Oilers a 4-2 lead, but Thunder responded with Uche Iroegbu’s key basket to go ahead 7-6. Tylor Ongwae extended the lead with a three-pointer, and Ater Majok doubled it to 16-8 as the opening quarter closed 18-11 in Thunder’s favour.
In the second quarter, Thunder surged with a 5-0 run for a 23-11 lead, but the Oilers fought back, with Petty’s back-to-back three-pointers cutting the gap to 23-18. The half ended 34-26 after both sides traded late three-pointers.
The Oilers started the third quarter strong, narrowing the score to 41-40 thanks to another sharp shooting display from Petty. However, Thunder regrouped, with Garang Diing’s buzzer-beating three-pointer restoring a 54-45 lead heading into the final quarter.
Turning point
Falando Cortez Jones hit crucial three-pointers late in the game to bring the Oilers within four points at 66-62, but Thunder held their ground. Roger Dauna’s basket made it a four-point game, but the Oilers ran out of time to complete their comeback.
Thunder’s historic win ensures their place among Africa’s basketball elite, a monumental achievement for Kenyan basketball.
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