Albert Odero delivered a stellar performance, dropping a game-high 23 points to inspire Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) to their first-ever win at the Basketball Africa League (BAL), as they stunned South Africa’s Made By Basketball (MBB) 85-76 at the BK Arena in Kigali.

His clinical display, alongside the return of other regular local players, saw Thunder bounce back from three straight losses and rediscover their signature transitional style of play, a decision that finally paid off for the Kenyan representatives in the BAL Nile Conference Championship, which concluded on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after nine days of top-tier continental basketball.

Thunder’s regular local players, led by Odero, came off the bench after the technical bench showed trust in their potential.

They played the team’s traditional, transitional, fast-paced style of basketball, which propelled NCT to register a historic first win at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) against South Africa’s MBB team.

Thunder’s campaign, as Kenya’s representatives at the BAL Nile Conference Championship, which concluded on Sunday after nine days of electrifying top-tier continental basketball, began with a disappointing 63-92 loss in their opening game against hosts Rwanda Patriotic Army (APR) at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

In the opening games against APR, Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli (AHT) and South Africa’s MBB, NCT lost 87-115 and 74-75, respectively, to the dismay of Thunder’s Kenyan fans, as the technical bench largely fielded imported foreign players, Evans Ganapamo, Uchenna “UC” Iroegbu, William Sidney Davis II, Cheikh Mbacke Diong and Yohane Tshaba Kabongo.

As fan discontent mounted, in a surprising turn of events, Thunder’s technical bench decided to field key regular local players during NCT’s return matches against MBB, AHT and APR, possibly after realising that opponents were also largely using regular players.

The decision paid off. Thunder beat MBB 85-76. Skilled and experienced guard Odero emerged as the outstanding player, scoring a game-high 23 points and leading teammates Garang Diing, point guard Eugene Phillips Adera, power forward Ariel Okall Okoll Koranga, and captain/forward Tylor Ongwae.

In the next game against hosts APR, Thunder fought valiantly before going down 74-77.

Once again, Odero stood out, netting a game-high 29 points.

Men’s Division One side Lakeside coach Emmanuel Ochieng’ said, “Albert [Odero] did us proud. He was the player of the match in the revenge game against MBB.”

“It’s a lesson for Thunder’s technical bench. Trust local players. Fielding regulars helped Thunder rediscover and play its traditional transitional basketball, the team’s identity. Regular players also showed strong chemistry, especially against MBB and APR,” Ochieng’ added.

Kenya Lionesses coach George Mayienga said, “I was so happy Thunder won the revenge game against MBB. I knew it would happen. I congratulate the players, the technical bench, and the whole organisation.”

“Thunder’s regular players have been together for a long time. They have great chemistry,” Mayienga concluded.