- Nairobi City Thunder fall 90–85 to Dar City in the opening match of the BAL 2026 Group Phase Kalahari Conference.
- The match was played on Saturday, March 28, at the SunBet Arena in South Africa.
- Their second match of the tournament is on Sunday, March 29, where they will face hosts Johannesburg Giants Basketball Club from 7 p.m. EAT.
Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder left it late as they lost their opening match in the Basketball Africa League group phase in the Kalahari Conference, falling 90–85 in an East African derby against Dar City Basketball Team on Saturday evening at the SunBet Arena in South Africa.
Nairobi City Thunder, who are making their second-ever appearance in the BAL, needed a win to kick off their campaign on a high note and improve on their 1-5 record.
However, in a contest that perhaps could have been a straightforward one for them, they encountered a very strong Tanzanian club side making their debut in the BAL.
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For Dar City, they qualified through the Wild Card from the East Division, where they finished third, and now they are making waves in their maiden campaign.
After smashing hosts Johannesburg Giants 100-70 in their Friday opener, they carried that momentum against their regional rivals NCT, managing to come from behind after trailing by at least 14 points to snatch that crucial victory.
Nairobi City Thunder fall late to Dar City in BAL 2026 opener in South Africa
French international David Benoit Michineau led the Tanzanian side with a dominant performance, posting an impressive 39 points and eight rebounds in 39 minutes as the point guard guided Mamadou Gueye’s charges to a commanding win.
Three other Dar City players reached double figures in scoring, with Nisre Zouzoua coming close with 20 points, while Daniel Jerry Utomi added 15 points, and Michael Foster rounded out the quartet with 10 points.
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For coach Bradly Ibs’ charges, four players also managed to hit double digits, led by captain Tylor Ongwae, who scored 18 points, with Eugene Adera coming close with 16 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
Joseph Nzeakor off the bench managed to put up 13 points, while Ariel Koranga added 11 points in that agonizing defeat.
The Tanzanian giants found their turning point in the third quarter after halftime. NCT had led for the first two quarters, they were level at 24-24 in the opening period before NCT took the second 26-22 after a solid comeback for a four-point advantage.
In the third quarter, Dar executed well on the boards and defense, and they knocked down key free throws, allowing them to win the frame 24-14 and set up a decisive final quarter.
Nairobi City Thunder managed to dominate the final period, but they could n0t hold onto their three-point lead in the closing minutes.
With just 16 seconds remaining, Michael Foster drilled a deep left-wing three-pointer that saw Dar take a three-point edge.
The shot went under review and was upheld, while the Thunder, who maintained possession, lost it again just seconds before the buzzer, allowing Dar to seal the win with two points.
With everything still to play for, Nairobi City Thunder will be looking to improve their performance; especially the chemistry and defense, as they head into their second match of the tournament on Sunday, March 29, where they will take on the hosts, Johannesburg Giants Basketball Club, from 7 p.m. EAT.
Nairobi City Thunder BAL 2026 Group Phase Fixture Schedule and Tip-Off Times
Nairobi City Thunder 85-90 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)