Nairobi City Thunder have made a remarkable debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers by securing a spot in the Elite 16. The Bradley Ibs-coached team finished second in the Road to BAL East Division Group D qualifiers, boasting a 3-1 winning record. Their decisive 86-63 victory over Tanzania’s JKT in the final group match sealed their place in the next round.
Thunder now become the third Kenyan team, after Ulinzi Warriors and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), to qualify for the prestigious Elite 16, a key stage on the road to the BAL. The team hopes to break the jinx and make history by becoming the first Kenyan side to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.
Thrilling Victory Over JKT
In their final group match against JKT, Thunder faced a tough test, with the Tanzanian side pushing hard in the first and third quarters. The game was tightly contested, with quarter scores of 20-18, 23-09, 20-23, and 25-11 in Thunder’s favor. The Kenyans managed to hold off JKT’s onslaught, with a key turning point coming in the final five minutes of the first half.
JKT missed all their shot attempts in those crucial moments, allowing Thunder to go on a 14-0 run. This gave Thunder a 12-point lead, which proved to be the game changer. Despite JKT’s best efforts to close the gap in the second half, the damage had already been done.
Derrick Ogechi Shines
Derrick Ogechi was the star of the match, leading Thunder’s offense with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in just over 28 minutes on the floor. His performance was pivotal in keeping Thunder ahead, especially during the crucial moments when JKT threatened to make a comeback.
Thunder’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc also played a significant role in their victory. While they struggled with their three-point shooting early on, making just 2-of-10 attempts in the opening quarter, they improved as the game progressed. They ended the match with a respectable 12-of-36 from beyond the arc, a 36.4% conversion rate, with timely shots pulling them away from JKT on several occasions.
Looking Ahead to the Elite 16
With this victory, Nairobi City Thunder now turn their attention to the Elite 16, the final qualifying phase for the Basketball Africa League. The team has about three weeks to regroup and prepare for the competition, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on November 12. They will be hoping to carry their momentum into the next stage and continue their quest for a historic BAL qualification.
Coach and Players React
JKT’s coach Fotius Ngaiza acknowledged his team’s struggles against Thunder, particularly their inability to stop the Kenyan side’s three-point shooting. “They had many shooters, and the three-pointers killed our momentum. We made too many mistakes in the second quarter that cost us easy points,” said Ngaiza.
On the other hand, Derrick Ogechi of Nairobi City Thunder expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, despite missing out on an unbeaten run. “A heartbreaking one-point loss to Urunani denied us a perfect record, but we’re happy to be in the Elite 16. Playing the home team was tough, but we made adjustments and came out on top,” Ogechi said.
Nairobi City Thunder now look forward to the next challenge as they continue their journey towards BAL glory.
