'We have more to prove' - Nairobi City Thunder skipper rallies team ahead of BAL return
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 19.03.26. | 15:04
The side is making its second appearance in Africa's premier club competition, having made its landmark debut last year
Nairobi City Thunder captain Tylor Ongwae says his team has “more to prove” as they head for their second Basketball Africa League (BAL) appearance in Pretoria, South Africa, from Friday, 27 March to Sunday, 5 April.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Ongwae, who has been a member of Thunder since August 2024, is highly expectant of better performances from the two-time Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) champions, who last year became the first Kenyan side to seal a place in BAL.
“This team has been playing together for a few years now, bringing the best out of each other,” Ongwae said on Thursday, 19 March.
©Nairobi City ThunderIn their BAL debut last year, Thunder bounced out of the group phases of the Nile Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, after picking up just one win but suffering five losses.
Thunder’s sole 85-76 victory over South African opponents Made by Ball Basketball (MBB) was, however, historic, as it also meant Bradley Ibs’ side became the first Kenyan side to win a BAL game.
It is that learned experience among familiar faces in the team that Ongwae hopes will make the Nairobi-based side fare better this time round.
“There is confidence in the squad,” Ongwae, who is one of nine Kenyans on Thunder’s roster, said. “We have more to prove.”
Thursday, 19 March, is set to be Thunder’s final chance to interact with their home fans before embarking on the trip down south.
As a result, the team is due to feature in Game Two of “Thunder Nights”, which consists of flagship practice games that have so far drawn crowds and energised the community.
In the arrangement, the Thunder team splits itself into two for a high-stakes friendly match.
The fan engagement comes amid a period of dominance from Thunder, who have, over the last two seasons, gone unbeaten in the KBF league.
This season, the inevitable is already looming, as Thunder are 5-0, and looking imperious.
“This has been an incredible run for Nairobi City Thunder, but we’re just getting going,” Thunder President Colin Rasmussen said.
“The team continues to show our ambition to excel and win – on and off the court. This organisation continues to bring its best, developing together as a team, forging a winning record, and growing our fan base.”
To build its local core, Thunder have acquired three international players, including: Lance Thomas, Josh Nzeakor and Shaheed Davis.
What is left is for them to ball out, and hopefully emerge on the other side of the BAL Finals in Kigali in May.
FULL THUNDER ROSTER FOR BAL:
●Derrick Ogechi – Shooting Guard (6’3)
● Ariel Okall – Power Forward (6’8)
● Tylor Ongwae – Small Forward (6’7)
● Faheem Juma – Small Forward (6’7)
● Garang Diing – Combo Guard (6’8)
● Adera Eugene – Point Guard (6’1)
● Bramwel Muchina – Power Forward (6’9)
● Powell Hargos – Point Guard (6’1)
● Albert Odero – Shooting Guard (6’4)
● Lance Thomas – Power Forward (6’10)
● Josh Nzeakor – Power Forward (6’8)
● Shaheed Davis – Small Forward (6’9)