Tylor Ongwae (left) of Nairobi City Thunder dribbles the ball under pressure from Cello Chirombe of Ferroviario da Beira during their semi final match of the Elite 16 (East Division) qualifiers of 2026 Basketball Africa League.
Nairobi City Thunder retained the Fiba Africa Champions Club Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 (East Division) crown with a commanding 94–84 final victory over South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants at the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena on Sunday.
Nairobi City Thunder's Albert Odero (right) dribbles past Johannesburg Giants' Ngabo Kasilembo during East Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League qualifiers at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Gymnasium, on November 23, 2025
Thunder’s success was rooted in meticulous preparation and powered by cohesion, discipline and depth. According to guard Eugene Adera, the team spent a month in an intensive integration camp designed to build chemistry and assimilate new talent.
The arrival of American players Lance Thomas and Chase Adams, as well as South Sudanese stars Ater Majok and David Kongor, provided the team with valuable experience and balance.
“We trained for a month, which gave us plenty of time to gel and understand each other’s playing style,” said Adera.
This synergy was evident from the outset of the final. Thunder exploded with aggressive defence and fluid transition offence to establish a 28–17 lead. Their ball movement and perimeter accuracy then opened up a 20-point lead by the middle of the second period. Although Johannesburg rallied to reduce the deficit, Adera’s composure at the free-throw line secured a 50–38 lead at half-time.
Read: Nairobi City Thunder strike down Jo’burg Giants, win ‘Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division’ title
The third quarter proved decisive. Thunder unleashed a devastating three-point barrage — three each from Derrick Ogechi and Tylor Ongwae, plus additional shots from Adera and Albert Odero — to win the period 33–23. Their perimeter precision widened the lead to 22 points as the Giants struggled to adjust.
Nairobi City Thunder's Ater Majok goes for a basket infront Johannesburg Giants' Liam Markduring the East Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League qualifiers at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Gymnasium, on November 23, 2025
Thunder coach Bradley Ibs praised his team’s consistency and the fans’ support “It is great to keep a clean slate to be back in the BAL and beat a great team twice. Both teams really wanted to win, but we kept to our plan.”
Thunder’s successful hosting of the Elite 16 for the second straight year was hailed as a milestone for Kenyan basketball. Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Secretary General Angela Luchivya noted that home-court advantage and international-level competition helped energise local fans and elevate standards.
Both Thunder and Johannesburg sealed automatic qualification for the 2026 BAL. With renewed confidence, strong imports, and a united locker room, Thunder’s ambition is clear.
“Now that we are going for the second season, our target will be to win it,” said Adera.
Thunder officials expressed satisfaction with their new additions, signalling potential retention ahead of BAL 2026 in Rwanda. As one of Kenya’s best-paying clubs, offering bonuses for league and Elite 16 success, Thunder now takes a brief break as they await the announcement of the new KBF season.
Nairobi City Thunder's Eugene Adera (left) goes for a basket against Johannesburg Giants' Sandile Sibanyoni during East Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League qualifiers at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Gymnasium, on November 23, 2025
The BAL awards prize money to its finalists, though exact amounts are not officially announced by the league. Reports from the inaugural 2021 season indicate that champions received Sh12.9 million ($100,000), with runners-up awarded Sh9.7m ($75,000), third place Sh7.1m ($55,000), and fourth place Sh5.1m ($40,000). This figure is believed to have been increasing, and currently, a team could get Sh9.0m ($70,000) just for qualifying for BAL.
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