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Nairobi City Thunder has made history as the first Kenyan basketball team to qualify for the semi-finals of Africa’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 stage.

Kenya’s previous representatives in the BAL championship, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Ulinzi Warriors, failed to progress past the group stage, according to People.

Speaking to People Sport yesterday, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixture secretary Joseph Amoko confirmed that Thunder is the first Kenyan team to make it to the semi-finals of the BAL Elite 16 Stage in the East Division.

“Kenya’s previous representatives in the BAL championship, KPA and Ulinzi Warriors, failed to make it to the BAL Elite 16 Stage. Both teams were eliminated at the group stage qualifiers. KPA was knocked out in Madagascar, while Ulinzi was eliminated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” Amoko recalled.

Too early to celebrate

However, City Thunder assistant team manager Bernet Ojay cautioned that it is not yet time for the team or Kenyan basketball fans to celebrate their achievement, despite reaching the BAL Elite 16 semi-finals.

“The job is not done yet. Our semi-final game against Uganda’s City Oilers is the most crucial of all the games Thunder has won so far in the ongoing BAL Elite 16 Stage group stages. The BAL group and Elite stage games are essentially just qualifiers,” Ojay explained.

Ojay emphasised that Thunder’s victory in the semi-final against City Oilers is the most significant step, as it would guarantee the team’s qualification for the Road to BAL Final championship.

Ultimate stage

“Winning the semi-final means Thunder qualifies for the Road to BAL final. This is the ultimate stage of the competition and features Africa’s top basketball clubs. It’s like qualifying for the football World Cup proper,” he continued.

Thunder advanced to the semi-finals after dominating their Elite 16 Stage group matches. They triumphed 102-59 over South Africa’s Made By Ball Blue Soldiers (MBB), then routed Cape Verde’s Kriol Star 104-71.

Their third match, against Malawi’s Bravehearts, was essentially a formality, with Thunder emerging victorious 91-68 to complete their unbeaten run in the group stage.

The semi-final fixtures, pitting Thunder against City Oilers and Burundi’s Urunani BBC against Kriol Star, were announced by Fiba Africa Technical Committee president Alphonse Bile.

Thunder’s victory over Malawi was their third consecutive win in the group stage, played in front of a cheering crowd at Nairobi’s Kasarani indoor basketball court. Despite Bravehearts putting up a strong fight, Thunder ultimately triumphed, with a standout performance from Uche Iroegbu, Abdoulaye Harouna, Albert Odero, Taylor Ongwae and Garang Diing.

Thunder’s dominant 3rd quarter saw them pull away to a commanding 68-47 lead, and they sealed the game 91-68, much to the delight of their home fans.

The team’s flawless performance in the group stage has positioned them as one of the most formidable teams in this year’s BAL Elite 16 competition.