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Nairobi City Thunder etched its name into history as the first Kenya team to qualify for the basketball extravaganza continental showpiece.
Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder has etched its name in basketball history, becoming East Division champions and securing a coveted spot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Their triumph comes on the back of an impressive campaign during the 2024 East Division Elite 16 that went down from November 16 to December 3 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena and Nyayo Gymnasium, where they dominated the competition with an 8-1 record.
Their sole loss, a narrow 89-88 defeat against Urunani in the group phase, did little to hinder their momentum. The Bradley Thomas-coached side bounced back emphatically, culminating in a commanding 99-86 victory over Kriol Star in the final.
The BAL qualification marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Kenyan hoopers as they set their sights on conquering the African basketball scene. Thomas reflected on the journey so far, emphasizing the importance of continual improvement.
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13:00 - 03.12.2024
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The veteran center played a pivotal role as Nairobi City Thunder booked their slot in the Basketball Africa League.
“You can never be good enough on defense you can always be a little better, a little tougher, a little faster. This is our first time doing this, and I think we’ve learned a lot, especially in terms of preparing for Tanzania and the Elite 16 Division," he said after in post-match conference after their historic qualification.
"As we head into BAL, we’ll focus on building team chemistry, improving organization, and maintaining quality in training. At the end of the day, having a team that’s committed to one another is key to winning games."
“Thanks to our investors, we’ve been able to bring in good talent, giving us a great chance to win."
Leading the charge for the hosts was standout player Garang Akol, who was named the tournament’s number one player. His performance was instrumental in their triump, and he remains optimistic about the road ahead.
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15:00 - 25.11.2024
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“This was just the first step for us. Tanzania was the first stage, the Elite 16 was the second, and now moving into the third stage of the BAL is really motivating. We just have to keep going and build on this momentum,” Akol said.
As they prepare for the BAL poised for April 5, 2025 in Morocco, the side faces the challenge of stepping onto a continental stage that demands even greater resilience. With lessons learned, the team is poised to represent Kenya and East Africa with pride and ambition.
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