Premium
Thunder strikes KPA twice
Nairobi City Thunder’s Tylor Ongwae (right) is challenged by Morel Spencer of KPA in Game Two of Kenya Basketball Federation men’s league final play-offs at KPA Makande Gymnasium.
Nairobi City Thunder are one win away from retaining the Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League men’s championship title.
Yesterday, the reigning champions defeated Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 93-79 in an entertaining Game Two in the best-of-five final play-offs series.
The defending champions, who lead the series 2-0, only need a win against KPA in Game Three scheduled for this weekend in Nairobi to retain the title.
KPA, who improved their game yesterday compared to the form they showed on Saturday in Game One, will need to level the series and force Game Five to revive their hopes of reclaiming the title they lost to Nairobi City Thunder last season.
Yesterday, Nairobi City Thunder started the first quarter on a high note, and raced to a 10-4 lead in the first five minutes of the match. Tylor Ongwae and Derrick Ongechi proved effective for Thunder in offensive play. The two overwhelmed KPA’s defence, and the visitors took the quarter 29-11.
Zetech Sparks Player Mitchell Soukoujou (left) challenges Aminata Samassekou of KPA Ladies Basketball Player during their second Final Match of the Kenya Basketball League at KPA Makande Gymnasium in this photo taken on 7th September 2025.
In the second quarter, KPA changed tact and tightened the team’s defence while also aggressively looking to score baskets. The combination of Spencer Morel, Matin Buluma and Washington Ayecho bore fruit for KPA, the home team scoring baskets on the paint as well as outside the three point arch to take the quarter 24-16.
However, Nairobi City Thunder came back stronger in the third and fourth quarters. They reigning champions engaged a higher gear to take the third quarter with a scoreline of 72-54.
Ayiecho came off the bench for KPA to momentarily delay Thunder’s charge by scoring three-pointers, but the points only served to cut Nairobi City Thunder’s lead in the match rather than carrying the team past their opponents.
KPA’s coach Sammy Kiki was impressed by the performance of his players in spite of the loss.
“We lost focus in the match a bit, but we will work on improving our defence. The title is not yet won,” said Kiki. Nairobi City Thunder’s coach, Brad Ibs noted that KPA had improved its defence in the second quarter of the match but individual mistakes cost the team the match.
In the women’s final play-offs played earlier in the afternoon, KPA women defeated Zetech Sparks 54-49 in an entertaining but a low-scoring Game Two.
KPA lead the series 2-0, and Zetech Sparks are under pressure to win Game Three and Four to force a decisive Game Five to revive hope of winning a maiden title.
In the first quarter, Zetech Sparks led 6-2 in the first two minutes but KPA responded with a basket, and Chantel Kiyobe’s three pointer for a 7-6 lead.
KPA made a brilliant transition from defensive to offensive play, and the combination of Alima Doumbia, Kiyobe and Grace Irebu troubled Zetech Sparks’ defence as KPA won the first quarter 20-14.
KPA won the second quarter 13-7, and took the third 20-10.
Zetech Sparks took the fourth quarter 12-7.
KPA’s coach Anthony Ojukwu said: “The title race is far from decided. We plan to maintain the momentum and consistency in Game Three,” coach Ojukwu said.
He attributed yesterday’s win to confidence among his players.
Zetech Sparks coach Maurice Obilo commended his players for putting up a good performance in the match that restricted KPA to low scores.
