Nairobi City Thunder achieved a historic milestone by clinching their first-ever Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League title, following a resounding 86-48 victory against defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Game Three on Saturday night.
The triumph at their home court, Nyayo National Gymnasium, capped off a 3-0 sweep in the best-of-five final series.
Displaying an unplayable form, Thunder overwhelmed the dockers with a performance that left KPA struggling to keep up. “I was amazed at how we played today. I am just wondering how we left it this late to show our best game. This was an amazing performance from the boys, and to win the title in this way is such an amazing feeling. I am very proud of everyone associated with this team. We did it,” exclaimed head coach Brad Ibs after the final whistle.
Thunder’s journey to the title was marked by resilience and grit. They had already secured a 2-0 lead in Mombasa, winning both games one and two. Game one, in particular, showcased their champion spirit as they overcame a 19-point halftime deficit to emerge victorious.
KPA’s head coach Cliff Owuor, who took over the team three months ago from Rwanda, remained gracious in defeat. “Today was not our day. I am just proud of what these players have done, to even reach the final.
We had so many of our key players injured and had to work with a new team in season. Congrats to Thunder, and for us, we will go back to the drawing board, strategize, and come back stronger,” said Owuor, who also serves as the national team head coach.
From the start of Game Three, Thunder showed their determination to make history. Their intensity was evident from the warm-up, and they quickly established a dominant lead. Skipper Griffin Ligare, a 15-year veteran of the team, delivered a stellar performance with 17 points and eight rebounds. His 12 points from five three-point attempts were crucial in setting the tone.
Albert Odero, the league’s Most Valuable Player, led the scoring with 19 points, while Faheem Juma added 13 points to contribute to the victory. For KPA, Malian international Aboulaye Haidarra was the top scorer with 13 points, followed by John Wiljass with 10 points.
Thunder’s intent was clear from the outset, racing to a 26-9 lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks to Ligare’s early three-pointers. Despite KPA’s efforts to rally in the second quarter, Thunder maintained a 17-point lead at halftime, with the scores at 42-25.
The third quarter saw Thunder extend their lead to 28 points, putting the game firmly in their control. In the final quarter, coach Ibs had the luxury of resting his star players, including Ligare, who received a standing ovation for his outstanding performance. Ariel Ortega, Darill Omondi, Derrick Olang, and Dismas Mbaka were given minutes on the floor to enjoy the closing moments of their championship win.
Thunder’s victory earned them a cash prize of Sh350,000 and the opportunity to represent Kenya in the qualifiers for the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
