Thunder’s Roar: Nairobi City Thunder Eye BAL Redemption on Home Court as Kasarani Hosts Elite 16

Javan Okwayo EkhalieNovember 17, 2025

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For the second consecutive year, Nairobi has affirmed its status as a premier hub for African basketball. The Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division tournament tips off tomorrow at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, and the stakes have never been higher for Kenya’s basketball royalty, Nairobi City Thunder.

This isn’t just another tournament; it’s a statement. Hosting the Elite 16 for a second year running is a massive vote of confidence from FIBA Africa in Kenya’s rapidly growing basketball infrastructure and passionate fanbase. It’s an opportunity for the nation to once again showcase its capability on the continental stage, and for the home team, it’s a chance for redemption.

Nairobi City Thunder celebrating their Championship at the Kenya National Basketbal League (KNBL) 2025 Finals | 📸: Javan O. Ekhalie

The Domestic Behemoth: An 82-Match Statement

To say Nairobi City Thunder dominated the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) is an understatement. They didn’t just win the 2025 title; they achieved perfection.

Thunder completed a historic 82-match unbeaten streak, a run of dominance Kenyan basketball has rarely witnessed. They capped this flawless season with a brutal 3-0 finals sweep against rivals KPA, winning the games 81-47, 93-79, and 80-43. This domestic invincibility, marshalled by head coach Brad Ibs and powered by a blend of veteran savvy and elite talent, is the foundation of their continental ambition. They aren’t just Kenya’s champions; they are an unbeaten force.

The Path to the Elite: Skipping the Line

Unlike many teams present in Nairobi, Thunder did not have to battle through the initial group stage qualifiers. Their path went straight to the Elite 16, and for good reason.

As the reigning champions of the KNBL and the hosts of the tournament, Thunder received an automatic berth into this final “knockout” phase. This seeding privilege, often reserved for the continent’s top-tier clubs, allowed them to focus on preparation while their future opponents fought for a spot at the table. Now, the rest is over, and the real test begins.

Last Year’s Lesson: The “Subpar” Debut

It’s crucial to separate Thunder’s 2024 journey into two parts. First, the historic high: Last year, on this same Kasarani court, Thunder made history by becoming the first-ever Kenyan club to qualify for the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL).

But the second part was a harsh-but-necessary lesson. At the 2025 BAL main tournament (Kalahari Conference), the team, while competitive, was outmatched. They finished the tournament winless, revealing the gap between being East Africa’s best and competing with the NBA-backed giants from North and West Africa.

That “subpar” performance, as described by critics, was not a failure but a baseline. This entire 2025 campaign has been about closing that gap.

The New-Look Thunder: Built for Africa

This is not the same team that got its feet wet last year. The Thunder front office, backed by a renewed partnership with M-KOPA, has built a squad designed to compete continentally.

Roster

Chase Cameron Adams
Eugene Adera
Garang Diling Akol Ding
Faheem Juma
Okall Koranga
Ater Majok
BRAMEL MWOMBE
Albert Odero
Derrick Mekenye Ogechi
Fidel Okoth
Tylor Ongwae
Dismas Mbaka Onsongo
Powell Owino
Lance Robert Thomas
Chase Adams

The Competition: Who Stands in the Way?

Thunder’s path is difficult. They are drawn in Group A alongside Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers, South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants, and a fourth team yet to be determined.

Group B is equally stacked, featuring Malawi’s Bravehearts, Zambia’s Matero Magic, Mozambique’s Ferroviário da Beira, and Tanzania’s Dar City Basketball.

Only the top two teams from this entire eight-team tournament will punch their ticket to the 2026 BAL season.

The Blueprint from the West

The standard has already been set. The West Division Elite 16 just concluded in Praia, Cape Verde, and the two teams to emerge from that battle were Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi and Côte d’Ivoire’s JCA Kings. The level of play was intense, physical, and professional—exactly what Thunder must be prepared to match, and overcome.

Outlook: Redemption on Home Soil

Nairobi City Thunder has nothing left to prove domestically. Their 82-0 run settled that. The future of this club and the immediate future of Kenyan basketball now lies in continental success.

They have the home crowd. They have a roster built for this moment. And they have the painful-but-valuable experience of last year’s BAL debut. The mission is clear: this is not just about qualifying. It’s about proving they belong, making Kasarani a fortress, and beginning the journey to not just participate in the BAL, but to win.

Ticketing

The tickets are affordable, at only Ksh 200, and can be bought through HustleSasa https://kbf.hustlesasa.shop/

Show up and show out at Kasarani! Jaza Kasa!🥳