Elite 16: Nairobi City Thunder brush aside MBB in perfect show of might

At the closing moments of a pretty much memorable night at the Nyayo Gymnasium, it was the fan darling Kennedy Wachira lifting the crowd from its seats as he cashed in numerous threes to emphasize a statement win for Nairobi City Thunder in their opening game of the Road to BAL Elite 16 on Thursday.

In his conspicuous yet luminous kicks, Wachira’s routine entry in the fourth quarter gathered some attention when he seemed not to miss from distance, his quick 15 points from a 10-minute spell capping off the hosts’ impressive 102-59 victory over South African representatives MBB.

An umbrella in the stands - perhaps signifying the rain of threes that were dropping in a commanding final frame that saw the visitors muster only five points to Thunder’s 32 - was not the kind of sight witnessed in a tense first quarter however, as the home side sought to find their footing in alien territory.

The sort of backdrop Thunder, owing to their star-dust, had set, dictated a fast start to proceedings in front of a packed audience, but it took them some time to get going, as MBB took advantage of turnovers and fouls from Bradley Ibs’ side to take an 8-0 lead in the first three minutes of the contest.

That seemed to spark a plug from the then out-of-sorts hosts, who latched on Tylor Ongwae’s hot hand to draw back 10-10, before allowing Benjamin Myburgh and Neo Mothiba to give MBB a two-point deficit going to the second quarter.

Enter Garang Diing.

On the back of gritty defense, the tireless but understated 23-year-old showed his immense talent as he led Thunder to their first lead of the game with little over six minutes to the half.

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On one end he matched up his man on defense, and on the other, he connected on a massive three-point play that had the crowd hit first gear.

In amidst the run was the tenacity of Uche Iroegbu, who made every opportunity count beneath the glass, as was Nigerien Abdoulaye Harouna showing off his range from deep.

A 48-37 advantage at the half looked to be in major trouble when MBB, fueled by Dyvonne Pfachi, reduced it to three at 52-55, but there was no stopping the depth of this Thunder team that now called upon the services of James Majok to take a 70-54 lead heading to the final quarter.

When there, Eugene Adera had fun, Albert Odero had a super slam, while Ariel Okal got his assist, worth much more than you can imagine.

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The shine was however on Wachira, who in his imperious form, let all gathered understand the party had just started.

Kriol Star, who ran Malawi's Bravehearts rugged, lie in wait on day two!