Nairobi City Thunder crush Beira for historic back-to-back BAL qualification

• Nairobi City Thunder crush Beira for historic back-to-back BAL qualification.
• The match was played at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday, November 22, with Thunder winning 109–70.
• With two qualification spots available from the East Division, Nairobi City Thunder and the Johannesburg Giants- who meet again in Sunday’s final at the same venue, are both through to the BAL.

Kenya’s history makers, Nairobi City Thunder, made history reignite itself as they secured back-to-back qualification for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) after an effortless 109-70 triumph over Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira in the 2026 Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division on Saturday evening.

With two East Division slots available, Nairobi City Thunder and the Johannesburg Giants- set to face off in Sunday’s final at the same venue, both advanced to the 2026 BAL Group Phase.

There, they will join two West Division teams and eight directly qualified clubs from Nigeria, Tunisia, Angola, Senegal, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda.

ALSO READ: Indomitable Nairobi City Thunder make history as first Kenyan team to qualify for BAL

Entering the finals as the host team at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Thunder carried an unblemished record from the group stage into the semifinals.

Fresh off a standout performance in the last group stage match against the Johannesburg Giants on Thursday, Kenyan point guard Albert Odero once again led the charge, topping the scoresheet with 32 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Robert James followed with 15 points, while Eugene Adera also impressed, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, earning recognition as the playmaker of the evening.

Ater Majok delivered a strong performance with several powerful dunks, finishing with 13 points. David Deng Kongor made his mark with 11 points, and captain Tyler Ongwae added 10 to the scoreboard.

On the other side, Nilton Joaquim’s squad struggled with defensive rebounds and offensive execution, managing only two players in double digits. Ismael Nurmamade and Hassan Drame led Ferroviario with 13 points each.

Nairobi City Thunder crush Beira for historic back-to-back BAL qualification

Nairobi City Thunder started aggressively, dominating the first quarter 22–12.

Albert Odero set the tone with 10 points and three rebounds, supported by Ater Majok with six points. None of the Beira players reached double figures in the period.

The Mozambican side opened the second quarter with promise, narrowing the gap to just six points at one stage.

However, their rebound struggles resurfaced, allowing Thunder to reclaim control and take the quarter 30–20. By halftime, the hosts led 52–32, with Odero already amassing 26 points.

Although Beira hoped for a comeback in the third quarter, Nairobi City Thunder capitalized on their defensive lapses, outscoring them 31–16. The lead ballooned to 83–45, putting the game firmly out of reach.

ALSO READ: Nairobi City Thunder make history with first BAL victory

The final period turned into a triumphant procession for Bradly Ibs’s squad, who sealed a 26–22 quarter win to complete a 39-point rout, 109–70.

With this victory, Thunder achieved a second consecutive BAL qualification – a feat no other Kenyan team has ever accomplished.