NAIROBI, Kenya – In a heart-stopping finale at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Albert ‘Kenyan Airways’ Odero lifted Nairobi City Thunder to a crucial 86-83 victory over South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants with a spectacular dunk in the dying seconds of their Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division clash on Thursday night. The win, played before a roaring home crowd of 1,798 fans, ensures the Kenyan champions finish top of Group A, securing a more favourable path in the semi-finals as they seek a second consecutive appearance in the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL).

With just twelve seconds on the clock and Thunder clinging to a precarious one-point lead at 84-83, the game hung in the balance. Following a foul drawn by Eugene Aderra, Odero received the inbound pass, executed a masterful spin move under the rim, and slammed the ball home, sending the gymnasium into a frenzy and extending the lead to three with eight seconds remaining. A desperate defensive stand by Thunder saw two three-point attempts from the Giants miss the mark as the final buzzer confirmed a hard-fought Kenyan victory.

“When they fouled and Eugene gave me the ball, I wanted to hold and then draw a foul... When I did the spin, I didn’t expect the basket to be that wide open so I just went for it. Just instincts,” Odero, who led his team with 21 points, told Capital Sports after the match.

High Stakes at Kasarani

The encounter was more than just a group stage match; it was a battle for strategic advantage. Both teams had already secured their places in the semi-finals, but topping the group was critical to avoid a potential clash with the formidable Dar City from Tanzania, who finished undefeated in Group B. The two finalists from the Elite 16 East Division tournament earn an automatic spot in the 2026 BAL season.

Thunder's head coach, Brad Ibs, acknowledged the relief of securing the top spot. “Obviously you would want to finish top of your group to meet the number two from the other side. If we are talking honestly nobody wants to play Dar City with a trip to BAL on Sunday,” Ibs stated post-game. His counterpart, Florsheim Ngwenya of the Johannesburg Giants, attributed his team's loss to being outrebounded.

The game was a tense affair throughout. Thunder started strong, dominating the first quarter 24-14. However, the Johannesburg Giants, a team founded in 2025 that quickly won the South African championship, demonstrated their resilience by narrowly winning the subsequent three quarters (21-20, 21-19, 27-23), erasing an 11-point deficit to set up the nail-biting conclusion.

Beyond Odero’s heroics, Thunder saw significant contributions from captain Tylor Ongwae, who posted 18 points and six assists, while American import Lance Robert Thomas added 14 points. For the Giants, Dhieu Abwok Deing delivered a game-high 27 points, with strong support from Joshua Ozabor (25 points) and Nkosinathi Sibanyoni (15 points).

The BAL: A Gateway for Kenyan Basketball

Qualification for the BAL represents a significant opportunity for Kenyan basketball, offering not just continental prestige but also vital economic and developmental prospects. The BAL, a partnership between the NBA and FIBA, is elevating the sport's profile across Africa, creating jobs and attracting investment. According to a November 2025 report from NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, the league has already contributed significantly to the continent's GDP and job creation in its first few seasons. For a team like Nairobi City Thunder, which made history as the first Kenyan club to qualify for the BAL in the previous season, a return to the main stage would cement their status and provide a platform for players to showcase their talent internationally.

The league is also transitioning towards a franchise model, which could offer long-term stability and further investment opportunities for permanent teams. Consistent participation and success in tournaments like the BAL are crucial for Kenyan clubs aiming to be part of this future landscape.

Following the victory, Nairobi City Thunder is now set to face Mozambique's Ferroviario da Beira in the semi-finals on Saturday, November 22, at the same venue. The Johannesburg Giants will take on Group B winners Dar City in the other semi-final.