Thunder's Odero confident as BAL gets underway
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.03.26. | 07:32
Before returning to the City Thunder for this BAL season, Odero played for the RSSB Tigers, a team he will face in the Kalahari Conference
Nairobi City Thunder, the first Kenyan team to play in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have set their sights higher for the 2026 season, as the Bradley Ibs-coached side make a second appearance at the premier continental showpiece.
The two-time Kenyan, unbeaten, champions have assembled a squad dominated by league players whose chemistry and experience will come in handy at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Returning Albert Odero, whose energetic playing style proved valuable on the team's BAL debut, with him averaging 14 points per game, is eager to get back on the court with his former side and is exuding confidence ahead of their opening game on Saturday, 28 March.
Before returning to the City Thunder for this BAL season, Odero played for the RSSB Tigers, a team he will face in the Kalahari Conference whose action gets underway on Friday, 27 March with two matches.
"We learned a lot from our BAL experience last year. The current squad is very strong. Everyone has been working hard, both mentally and physically. We have grown since last year. We can't wait to show everyone how much we've improved," Odero offered.
Thunder used their first appearance in the league in 2025 as an opportunity to learn and develop, and they hope to build on this experience as they look to become the first Kenyan side to play in the BAL Playoffs.
The side's sole victory in six BAL games came in the form of an 85-76 win against MMB of South Africa during the 2025 Nile Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
In the first game of the season, 2024 finalists and self-proclaimed title contenders Al Ahly of Libya will face Rwandan side RSSB Tigers before South African champions Johannesburg Giants take on Dar City of Tanzania in a clash between two teams making their debut.
.jpg)
After their opening games, the Johannesburg Giants and RSSB Tigers will enjoy a rest day, while Dar City and Al Ahly will return to action on Saturday, taking on the Nairobi City Thunder and Petro de Luanda respectively.