In Summary:
- Nairobi City Thunder lost their fourth straight game in the BAL to Al Ahli Tripoli, making their playoff path very hard.
- The Thunder’s defense struggled, letting Al Ahli score many points and build a big lead early in the game.
- To reach the playoffs, Thunder must win their last two games this weekend and hope another team loses.
The Nairobi City Thunder basketball team is facing a tough challenge in the Basketball Africa League after losing their fourth game in a row to Al Ahli Tripoli. This defeat makes it harder for them to reach the playoffs, as they must win their final two games and rely on other game results. The team struggled on defense, allowing Al Ahli to score easily and maintain a big lead throughout the match. Despite some strong individual performances, the Thunder could not close the gap. Their journey continues this weekend with two crucial games that will decide their fate in the league.
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Defensive Struggles Plague Thunder in Key Matchup
Al Ahli Tripoli took control of the game early, establishing a quick 10-2 lead within the first two minutes. Deon Thompson scored five points rapidly, supported by two points from Wajdi Dawo and a three-pointer from Naseim Badrush.
Although the Thunder managed to tie the score at 22-22 in the first quarter, Al Ahli pulled ahead to finish the quarter up 32-24.
The second quarter saw the Thunder’s defense falter significantly, leading to numerous fouls. Al Ahli outscored them 24-17 in this period, extending their lead to 56-41 by halftime.
Mohamed B. Abdourahman Sadi was a key player for Al Ahli, contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists by the break.
For the Thunder, Uchenna Iroegbu and Evans Ganapamo each had 10 points, but foul trouble, especially for Grang Diing, hampered their efforts.
The third quarter proved even more challenging for the Thunder, with Al Ahli widening their lead by outscoring them 27-18. This pushed Al Ahli’s advantage to 24 points, ending the quarter at 83-59.
While the Thunder showed resilience in the final quarter, outscoring Al Ahli 32-21 and cutting the deficit to 13 points, it was not enough to overcome the large gap.
Key Players Deliver Strong Performances
Several players from both teams showcased strong individual performances.
For Al Ahli, Jean Boissy, coming off the bench, contributed 26 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Sadi led his team with an impressive 23 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
Additionally, four other Al Ahli players—Jaylen Adams, Caleb Agada, Naseim Badrush, and Deon Thompson—all reached double figures in scoring.
On the Thunder’s side, Uchenna Iroegbu led with 23 points.
Albert Einstein Onyango Odero added 17 points, while Captain Tylor Ongwae scored 12, and Evans Ganapamo finished with 10.
Coach Bradley Ibs expressed his satisfaction with the team’s improvement and highlighted the energy brought by Eugene Adera, Garang Diing, and Ongwae. He noted, “Those three play great together. They bring fight and teamwork.”
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Thunder’s Playoff Journey on the Brink
The Thunder’s journey in the BAL has been difficult so far, marked by previous losses, including 92-63 to APR Rwanda, 115-87 to Al Ahli Tripoli in an earlier game, and a narrow 75-74 defeat to South Africa’s MBB. The loss to MBB was particularly tough, as it was decided by a last-second shot.
Despite the setbacks, guard Garang Diing Akol Diing remains optimistic. “We controlled most of that game. We just missed the end. We’ll fix our mistakes and keep fighting,” he stated.
The Thunder is set to face MBB again on Saturday, May 24, at 3:30 PM EAT. Their final game will be against APR Rwanda on Sunday, May 25, at 6:30 PM EAT.
To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Thunder must win both of these upcoming games and also hope that MBB loses their remaining match. The BAL, now in its fifth year, stands as Africa’s premier basketball league.
The Thunder secured their spot in the league by winning Kenya’s national league in 2024, making a playoff berth a significant achievement for the team in their debut season.
READ MORE: Nairobi City Thunder Fights for BAL Playoff Spot After Losing First Three Games
