NAIROBI, KENYA – Nairobi City Thunder clinched a nail-biting 86-83 victory over South Africa's Johannesburg Giants in a pivotal Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 East Division qualifier on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The electrifying match, held at a packed Kasarani Indoor Arena, saw the Kenyan champions secure their position as Group A leaders and advance to the semi-finals.

The game, which tipped off at approximately 7:00 PM EAT, was a tense affair that went down to the wire. With just 13 seconds left on the clock and Thunder holding a precarious one-point lead at 84-83, American forward Albert Odero executed a stunning spin move and sealed the win with a powerful dunk. This decisive play capped a stellar performance from Odero, who was the team's top scorer with 21 points.

A Game of Shifting Momentum

Nairobi City Thunder started the game strong, establishing an early 8-0 lead and dominating the first quarter to finish with a 24-14 advantage. However, the Johannesburg Giants demonstrated their resilience, fighting back to win the subsequent three quarters (21-20, 21-19, and 27-23), pushing the home team to their absolute limit. The South African team's effort brought them to within a single point in the final moments before Odero's game-winning play.

Key contributions for Thunder also came from captain Tylor Ongwae, who scored 18 points and provided six assists, and American player Lance Robert Thomas with 14 points. Eugene Adera was instrumental, achieving an impressive double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. For the Giants, Dhieu Abwok Deing led all scorers with an outstanding 27 points, while Joshua Ozabor added 25.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

This victory is significant for Nairobi City Thunder, who are aiming for a second consecutive qualification for the prestigious Basketball Africa League. Having become the first Kenyan team in history to compete in the BAL in 2025, their continued success in the Elite 16 qualifiers is a crucial step toward cementing their place among Africa's basketball elite. The tournament, hosted in Nairobi, serves as a major platform for Kenyan basketball, showcasing local talent and raising the sport's profile in a region historically dominated by North and West African teams.

Thunder's head coach, Bradley Ibs, acknowledged the tough competition, stating, "It was a hard-fought win today. The opponent shot the ball amazingly well; they had a great game." His counterpart, Florsheim Ngwenya of the Giants, credited Thunder's strong start but expressed pride in his team's comeback effort. Both teams have advanced to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for Saturday, November 22. Nairobi City Thunder is set to face Ferroviario da Beira from Mozambique, while the Johannesburg Giants will play against the undefeated Dar City from Tanzania. The two teams that reach the final will automatically qualify for the 2026 BAL season in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Road Ahead

The journey for Nairobi City Thunder began with a commanding 89-62 win over Uganda's Namuwongo Blazers on Tuesday, November 18. Their undefeated run in the group stage has positioned them favorably for the semi-finals. As the host team, the support from the home crowd at Kasarani has been a significant factor, with 1,798 fans in attendance for the thriller against the Giants. The continued success of Thunder in this competition could have a lasting impact on the development of basketball in Kenya, inspiring a new generation of players and attracting further investment into the sport.