The Kenya Basketball history-making team, Nairobi City Thunder, will compete in the Nile Conference of their debut Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2025 with the group stage scheduled from May 17-25 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Kenyan champions reached this remarkable milestone after being crowned East Division champions by defeating Kriol Star 99-86 in the Elite 16 finals held at Kasarani Indoor Arena last December. This victory made them the first-ever team from Kenya and East Africa to qualify for the tournament.
In the fifth edition of the BAL, City Thunder will aim to advance to the next round after facing debutants Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya, who made history in the Road to BAL West Division by winning the title undefeated.
They are also grouped alongside Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball (APR) from Rwanda and debutants Made by Basketball (MBB) from South Africa, who qualified through a wildcard.
Meanwhile, the defending champions, Petro de Luanda of Angola, have been placed in the Sahara Conference, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from April 26 to May 4.
They will face a tough challenge as they square off against the 2022 champions, US Monastir of Tunisia, who are making their fifth appearance.
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Along with Petro de Luanda and US Monastir, ASC Ville de Dakar from Senegal (who earned a direct qualification) and Kriol Star Basketball from Cape Verde (who finished second in the East Division) are in the same group.
After the elimination of Al Ahly and Zamalek, who had represented Egypt as the reigning champions by winning twice, only Al Ittihad will now represent Egypt in their debut appearance, having secured a direct qualification.
They will compete in the Kalahari Conference alongside hosts Fath Union Sport (FUS), Stade Malien from Mali, and Rivers Hoopers from Nigeria. These teams will face off in Rabat, Morocco, from April 5-13.
ALSO READ: Road to BAL: Nairobi City Thunder dominate Kriol Stars to emerge East Division Champions
BAL knock-out phase teams
Kalahari Conference: Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), hosts FUS Rabat (Morocco), Stade Malien (Mali), Al Ittihad (Egypt)
Sahara Conference: Defending champions Petro de Luanda (Angola), 2022 champions US Monastir (Tunisia), hosts ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), Kriol Star (Cape Verde)
Nile Conference: Hosts APR (Rwanda), Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), Made by Basketball (MBB, South Africa), Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)
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