Nairobi City Thunder’s playoff hopes in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) are on life support as they head into a must-win clash against South Africa’s Made by Ball Basketball (MBB) this Saturday, May 24, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Coached by Bradley Ibs, the Kenyan champions are yet to register a win after four consecutive losses in the Nile Conference, and their postseason hopes now depend on avoiding a fifth.
Missed Chances Haunt Thunder
Their most agonizing loss came against MBB in the reverse fixture, when Ugandan international Robinson Opong drained a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds to snatch a 75–74 victory. Thunder had led by 18 points in the third quarter but faltered defensively in the closing stretch.
“We are learning game by game. It’s our first time at this level, and we’re figuring out our best combinations,” said coach Ibs, reflecting on his side’s near win.
That loss highlighted Thunder’s defensive inconsistencies, with MBB’s Pieter Prinsloo posting 30 points and 11 rebounds, outshining Kenya’s top scorer Evans Ganapamo, who had 21.
Thunder Show Improvement Despite Loss to Al Ahli Tripoli
Thunder’s most recent game saw them fall 104–91 to Al Ahli Tripoli, who secured one of the two automatic Nile Conference playoff spots with that victory. While still a loss, it was a marked improvement from their 115–87 defeat in the first encounter with the North African powerhouse.
Thunder now sit winless at 0–4, while MBB have improved to 2–2 after a stunning 94–88 upset over hosts APR on Thursday—bouncing back from a 103–81 loss to the same team earlier in the tournament.
MBB Confident as Playoff Race Tightens
Pieter Prinsloo, who continues to be MBB’s anchor, said the team’s belief has only grown as the tournament progresses.
“After the first two games, many counted us out. But we’ve learned, corrected our mistakes, and now believe we can leave Kigali with a 4–2 record,” Prinsloo said. “One more win, and we’re in Pretoria—that’s what we promised our fans.”
With just one automatic spot left, the final playoff berth will go to the team with the best third-place record between the Nile and Kalahari Conferences.
What’s at Stake
For Thunder, today’s match isn’t just about pride—it’s their last lifeline. A win keeps them in the running for a potential wild card spot. A loss, and their BAL 2025 campaign ends early.
Tip-off is set for 3:30 PM EAT at the BK Arena in Kigali.
