Moment of truth as Thunder face experienced Beira with BAL ticket on the line
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 22.11.25. | 09:00
The other semi final puts star-studded Dar City against Johannesburg Giants from 4:30 pm
Last year marked a groundbreaking milestone for Kenyan basketball as Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) became the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), after winning the East Division Elite 16.
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This historic achievement was part of a remarkable year that saw the team secure its first national league title, debut in the Road to BAL Group Phase, finishing second, and earn a coveted spot, in Nairobi, for the continental competition.
However, their debut in the Nile Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, from 17 to 25 May, proved to be a tough challenge, as they managed only one win out of six matches, with their sole victory coming against South Africa’s MBB.
Coach Bradley Ibs has, in a previous interview with Mozzart Sport, admitted that the team has unfinished business with BAL, arguing that a redo would give them the chance to prepare better for that level of competition and go all the way to the playoffs that feature the top eight teams from three conferences.
Saturday, 22 November presents that chance.
Thunder play face Beira at Kasarani Indoor Gymnasium from 7pm, a Mozambican team with a solid record. Beira secured their place in the East Division Elite 16 with an impressive 4-1 performance in Group E of the Road to BAL.
The Nilton Joaquim Manheira-coached side is aiming to make their third BAL appearance after participating in 2022 and 2023.
Beira's offense is led by Joshua Thomas, a player who has stood tall on both ends of the court, making him a primary threat. The team also benefits from the contributions of Ke’Tarrious Bouchum and Helton Ubisse, who provide versatility, excelling in transition, perimeter defense, and scoring.
They go up against a Thunder side that will rely on the efficiency and distribution prowess of Eugene Adera and Chase Adams, with Albert Odero, Lance Thomas, and Tylor Ongwae leading the team's offense.
Adera has notably emerged as a top rebounder in recent matches, adding depth to the team’s inside game. Ater Majok further strengthens NCT’s lineup with his two-way impact.
"It really feels good to finish top of the group. It means we play the second team in the other group, and to be honest, no one wants to play Dar City with a trip to BAL on the line. It was good for the squad to win a tough match like that and if we have to do it again, we know we can.
I love the way Beira play. They have great chemistry, and one can tell they play together a lot locally which is similar to our story. Saturday will be a big day for us and we hope to see the fans double. We feed off their energy and we hope they come out to support the team," coach Ibs said after the team's last group match where they picked a clutch 86-83 win against tournament favourites Johannesburg Giants.
Meanwhile, Beira’s forward Ayad Munguambe acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing the team's focus on preparation. “We are going to rest and watch every film as we prepare for NCT. Our focus is on bringing a winning mentality to that important clash."
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