- Nairobi City Thunder are aiming nothing less than a spot in the BAL 2026 playoffs.
- They will compete in the Kalahari Conference group phase, running from March 27 to April 5 in Pretoria, South Africa, at SunBet Arena.
- NCT will kick off their campaign against neighbors Dar City on Saturday, March 28, at 3 PM local time.
The Kenya National Basketball champions, Nairobi City Thunder, will take center stage on Saturday, March 28, in the 2026 Basketball Africa League Group Phase of the Kalahari Conference, aiming for nothing less than improving on their 1–5 record from last year’s BAL.
Nairobi City Thunder are making their second-ever appearance in the BAL after making history last season as the first Kenyan team to qualify for this continental showcase.
Their debut campaign was a tough outing, where in the six matches they played in the Nile Conference, they managed just one victory, a historic one against MBB of South Africa.
Now, Brad Ibs’ charges who are unbeaten in the local league for two consecutive seasons, have plenty to put right in this sixth edition of the BAL.
They will compete in the Kalahari Conference group phase, scheduled from March 27 to April 5 in Pretoria, South Africa, at the SunBet Arena.
ALSO READ: Nairobi City Thunder drawn in tough BAL 2026 Group Phase
Nairobi City Thunder out to chase historic BAL 2026 playoff dream
With the tournament bringing together six African giants battling for four playoff spots in Rwanda, coach Ibs believes that last season’s debut taught them valuable lessons, and they are well-prepared to represent the nation in South Africa.
“Last year, being our first year, we learned a lot about what it means to play in the BAL. We’re excited to represent ourselves and truly show Thunder basketball,” he expressed.
“In a tournament like this, preparation is key. Mastering the basics, excelling at the simple things that win games, and learning to win in different ways has helped us, and we hope those lessons translate on the court here,” he added.
He also noted a key shift from last season: a stronger emphasis on chemistry and continuity, especially after early challenges in their debut BAL campaign.
“Our team strength is our cohesiveness, built on the foundation of our local core players. We want to highlight their strengths and chemistry. By watching more BAL games, you realize how much chemistry really matters, especially in a team’s ability to play fast and aggressively,” Ibs stated.
The Thunder have managed to bring in some new talent while retaining their core players from the National Basketball League.
On that note, they have brought back one of their key players, Albert Odero, who made a move earlier this year to Rwanda’s RSSSB Tigers. Although he iss on a short-term transfer, they will be counting on the guard to deliver.
Other players include USA’s Lance Robert Thomas, while American-Nigerian Jawachi Joseph will be making his third BAL appearance – having played season one with Malian club AS Police and season two with Guinea’s Seydou Legacy Athletique Club.
Who will Nairobi City Thunder face in the BAL 2026 Kalahari Conference?
In the Kalahari Conference, Bradley Ibs’ charges won’t be facing unfamiliar opposition.
They have been drawn against teams they encountered either this season in the Elite 16 East Division or during their BAL debut last year.
They are grouped with Angolan heavyweights and 2024 champions Petro de Luanda, who were also finalists in 2025 and will be chasing a historic second title.
Also in the mix are 2024 runners-up Al Ahly Ly from Libya, returning after missing last season’s edition.
The two-time East Division champions will also face three debutants, including Tanzania’s Dar City Basketball Club and South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants, both eager to make a mark.
Dar City earned a wild card from the East Division, competing alongside Joburg and NCT. They’ll be eager to avenge their narrow semifinal loss to Joburg in Kenya.
ALSO READ: Odero to take on his club Tigers following APR’s BAL 2026 withdrawal
Meanwhile, Joburg will be out for revenge against Nairobi City Thunder after falling to them in the East Division finals at Kasarani Indoor Arena last year.
The third opponent comes as a surprise: RSSSB Tigers Basketball Team will also be taking part after being named as Rwanda’s representatives following Armee Patriotique Rwandaise’s (APR) official withdrawal a few weeks ago.
Tigers is the team where Odero plays, making for an intriguing showdown between the two sides.
All said, the two-time reigning Kenyan basketball champions will begin their campaign with a clash against neighbors Dar City on Saturday, March 28, at 3 PM local time.
They will then face hosts Johannesburg Giants Basketball Club on Sunday, March 29, at 6 PM, aiming to improve on last season’s solitary group phase victory and push for the playoffs this time around.
Each conference will play a 15-game group phase, where every team faces the other five in its conference once.
ALSO READ: Nairobi City Thunder make history with first BAL victory
Eight teams from across the two conferences will qualify for the playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda, at BK Arena.
This follows the Sahara Conference group phase, scheduled from Friday, April 24, to Sunday, May 3, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Nairobi City Thunder BAL 2026 Group Phase Fixture Schedule and Tip-Off Times
- 3/28/26 – 3pm: Nairobi City Thunder vs Dar City Basketball Club (H)
- 3/29/26 – 6pm: Nairobi City Thunder vs Johannesburg Giants Basketball Club (H)
- 4/1/26 – 4pm: Nairobi City Thunder vs Petroleos de Luanda (A)
- 4/3/26 – 4pm: Nairobi City Thunder vs Al Ahly Ly Sporting Club (A)
- 4/5/26 – 6pm: Nairobi City Thunder vs Armee Patriotique Rwandaise (H)