Road to BAL: Odero eager to propel Thunder to historic qualification

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Albert Odero admits that Thunder hosting the East Division Elite 16 Road to BAL has the team pumped up and rearing as they chase history on home soil. 

The Bradley Ibs-coached side won game two in the group phase of the eight-team six-day competition, beating Cape Verde's Kriol Star 104-71, registering their second 100+ show, having won the first match 101- 59 against South Africa's MBB Blue Soldiers. 

Against the Islanders, Odero had another great night, dropping a team-high 15 points, one more than Garang Diing, as skipper Tylor Ongwae and Nigerian-American important Uche Iroegbu added 13 a piece in a match that all Thunder player managed at least four baskets, for the victory. 

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"It was a good game, the last two days have been. We are not going too high or low, we have tried to stay level as we know the job is far from done and anything can happen," he offered. 

As the side takes on Malawi's Bravehearts who remain winless after losses to Kriol and MBB, Odero says they will "keep it Thunder basketball" with the focus on finishing perfect and heading to the all-important semis. The top two sides in each group proceed to Monday's 2 December semis, the winners bagging tickets to BAL 2025. 

With previous Kenyan representatives Kenya Ports Authority and Ulinzi Warriors failing to achieve the feat in the last four editions, Ibs charges carry the weight of breaking that jinx to become the first Kenyan team to reach the premier African men's club competition, in their first time of asking. 

"We will keep our foot on the gas in the last group match to qualify as the top team," Odero continued. "We want this and we'll bring the same fight, share the ball, execute well on our game plan, set a proper defense and just keep playing the Thunder way" 

As action moves to Kasarani after the opening two days, Odero has called on the Kenyan fans to continue supporting the team as they are not only representing the team but the country in its quest for history. 

"It is nice playing at home. When they said we were hosting, it gave everyone a big energy boost and we are eager to repay the fans. They have been amazing so far and as we head to the crucial part of the competition, we want to make them happy by getting the job done and they are a big part of this history" Odero added. 

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