Ruthless City Thunder outplay South Africa’s MBB as BAL qualifiers tip off

They are competing at the Elite 16 East Division championship that tipped off Thursday and will come to an end on December 3 with two tickets up for grabs.

Thunder who won the local league unbeaten last season started on a low note losing 17-19 in the opening quarter.

The Bras Ibs-coached side were miles ahead of their opponent on all fronts, dominating the remaining three quarters of 31-18, 22-17, 29-06 and 33-05 to lay down the marker.

New signing Abdoulaye Harouna was in the class of his own, scoring a game-high 18 points with two assists.

Five other players managed double digits including Garang Diing who was the second best scorer with 16 points and three rebounds as Kennedy Wachira and Albert Odero added identical 15 points.

Captain Tylor Ongwae and another new signing Uche Iroegbu had also ten points each to complete the double digits’ scorers.

Thunder will be taking Kriol Stars from Cape Verde Friday before winding it up against Malawi’s Bravehearts Basketball on Sunday in their last group match. Semi-finals are slated for Monday and final on Tuesday, December 3.

Top two teams will bag automatic slots for the 2025 Finals.

Thunder will be looking forward to breaking the jinx and qualify for Africa's biggest club championship for the first time as no Kenyan team has ever achieved that feat with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Ulinzi Warriors all making it to the Elite 16.

The Thunder boosted their roster with five new players. They include Kenyans Tylor Okari Ongwae, Eugene Adera and Derrick Mekenye Ogechi.

Others are Nigerian Uchenna Onyekachi Iroegbu, and American William Sidney Davis II.

In another group A match played at the same venue Cape Verde champions Kriol Star defeated Bravehearts Basketball from Malawi 89-58.