Nairobi City Thunder BAL campaign has hit another rough patch, as the Kenyan debutants suffered their second straight loss in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference.
Despite a spirited effort from Nigerian star Uchenna Iroegbu, who led the team with 18 points, Thunder fell 115-87 to Al Ahly Tripoli in Kigali, Rwanda — a result that not only dented their morale but also broke a BAL scoring record in the process.
The result marks another heavy defeat for Nairobi City Thunder BAL, who had earlier lost 92-63 to hosts APR. Now with back-to-back blowout losses, their chances of making it to the BAL postseason appear slim unless they pull off a remarkable turnaround.
Iroegbu’s Effort Not Enough
Uchenna Iroegbu, one of the few bright sparks in the Nairobi City Thunder BAL squad, delivered a determined performance. His 18 points led the team’s scoring, and his leadership on the court kept Thunder in the game during some of the tighter stretches. But even his efforts couldn’t stem the tide against a ruthless Tripoli side.
“It’s not how we bounce back; it’s a must. We must bounce back,” Iroegbu said after the game. “The next game starts 0–0. We have to bring a new mindset and energy.”
Nile Conference Standings Update
Two teams still undefeated
Two still chasing that first winEverything’s still wide open in Kigali, we’re back Tuesday, don’t miss it!#BAL5 pic.twitter.com/rK5HWm1CWE
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 18, 2025
Defensive Struggles Continue
In both of their BAL matches, Nairobi City Thunder BAL has struggled on defense. Against Tripoli, the team failed to contain the North African attack, particularly in transition. Despite focusing on improving defensive play ahead of the game, the results showed little change.
Tripoli took full advantage of Thunder’s 18 turnovers, converting them into 28 points — a stat that defined the game. In contrast, Thunder only managed nine points off Tripoli’s 11 turnovers. Fast breaks also favored the Libyan side, who scored 23 points to Thunder’s 13.
“Defense was one of the key points of discussion going into the game,” Iroegbu explained. “They were good in transition — they did it again. We had a better second half, got some stops and points, but we need to play like that for 40 minutes.”
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Record-Breaking Performance from Tripoli
Al Ahly Tripoli was simply on another level. Not only did they beat Thunder with ease, but they also set a new record for the highest-scoring game in BAL history, surpassing US Monastir’s 113-point record from 2021.
Jean Jacques Boissy was electric, scoring 30 points — the highest in a single game this BAL season. Jaylen Adams added 26 points, while Mohamed Sadi contributed 20. Côte d’Ivoire international Deon Thompson was dominant with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds.
The North Africans also tied Petro de Luanda’s record of 20 three-pointers in a single game, further underscoring how one-sided the match was.
What’s Next for Nairobi City Thunder BAL?
Now 0-2, Nairobi City Thunder BAL faces a critical matchup against South Africa’s MBB, a team they previously encountered in the Elite 16 East Division at Kasarani. But MBB has made major roster changes since then, and Thunder will have to be at their absolute best to stand a chance.
Coach Bradley Ibs will need to address glaring defensive lapses and improve ball handling if Thunder are to secure their first BAL win. The Kenyan side has the talent — players like Iroegbu and Griffin Ligare — but they need to show composure and intensity across all four quarters.
Statistics Paint a Tough Picture
The numbers from the loss to Tripoli tell the story:
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Turnovers: Thunder 18 | Tripoli 11
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Points off Turnovers: Thunder 9 | Tripoli 28
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Fast Break Points: Thunder 13 | Tripoli 23
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Second Chance Points: Thunder 7 | Tripoli 21
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Steals: Thunder 3 | Tripoli 12
Thunder managed to match Tripoli in the final quarter (34-34), but the damage had already been done in the third, where Tripoli outscored them 28-15.
Thunder Must Regroup Fast
With one more game before rematches begin, Nairobi City Thunder BAL is in must-win territory. The lessons are clear: defend with discipline, control possession, and execute with confidence. Every quarter, every possession now counts.
If Thunder can reset mentally and bring a full-game performance, they still have time to salvage pride — and maybe even their BAL dream.
