Road to BAL: Nairobi City Thunder through to Elite 16

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) champions Nairobi City Thunder are through to the Elite 16, the final qualifying phase for Africa's men's Premier club competition, Basketball Africa League (BAL).

The Bradley Ibs-coached side won their final match Road to BAL East Division Group D clash against hosts JKT 86-63 to finish the competition on a 3-1 ratio and qualify alongside Burundi's Urunani.

Their only loss in the 5-team competition came in their game two against the Burundians, going down 89-88, the side's first loss in over 10 months in almost competitions. They finished on seven points, one behind Urunani.

In their last clash, it was an intense start with four lead changes in the opening quarter, JKT feeling the pressure first to take a timeout with Thunder leading 12-09 with just over four minutes to play. 

Ibs made his first changes at 12-11 resting Ariel Okall and Derrick Ogechi for Fidel Okoth and Albert Odero but the hosts kept the pressure to lead 14-12, Emmanuel Chacha missing the chance to make itva four-point game with a missed dunk. 

Jonas Mushi combined with Omary Ndula to take the Tanzanian military side to 20-12 and it was Thunder’s turn to call for a much-needed timeout for a different strategy. Uchenna Iroegbu and Tylor Ongwae cut the deficit to two for 20-18 in the opening quarter.

JKT continued to dictate the proceedings in the opening minute of the second period for 24-20, Garang Diing making it a one-point game at 24-23 before leveling the score at 25 from the free-throw line with just over six minutes to play. Ongwae grabbed the lead at 31-29 with a fast break after an Iroegbu steal.

Former Gor Mahia coach questions Firat's suitability for Harambee Stars job

Ogechi went on a 7-point run, four off the free-throw line taking it further to 36-29, Iroegbu adding a trey to see Thunder register their biggest advantage, yet, at 41-29. 

JKT went to work in the opening two minutes of the second to cut Thunder’s advantage to seven and Ibs had seen enough to need a timeout for a new strategy. Back-to-back treys for Ogechi and Mushi off the break maintained the difference at 49-39 but the military side kept pushing. They cut the lead to 49-46. 

Odero, however, made sure to restore Thunder’s advantage with a 7-point run, Eugene Adera adding a trey for 61-52 heading to the final stanza. A dominant 25-11 show in the final quarter gave the Kenyan champions victory and a ticket to the final qualifying phase set to tip off, tentatively, on 12 November. 

"Playing the home team in our final match was not easy. They had the entire fanbase cheering them on and that gave them more motivation. We struggled to make stops in the beginning but made adjustments in time for victory. The first hurdle is done so we shift our focus to Elite 16," Ogechi offered after the match.