Thunder set sights on BAL glory after three-peat

Ibs says the continental competition has served as an important reality check, particularly when Thunder come up against teams with significantly bigger budgets, deeper squads and greater access to international talent.

Nairobi City Thunder have conquered Kenyan basketball for three consecutive seasons. Now, the three-time Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League champions are setting their sights on a bigger prize — the Basketball Africa League (BAL) trophy.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday, Thunder head coach Brad Ibs and General Manager and co-founder Kooshin Diriye outlined the club’s growing ambitions, with continental success now firmly at the centre of their long-term plans.

Thunder have won the KBF Premier League title in 2024, 2025 and 2026, establishing themselves as the dominant force in the domestic game. But rather than being satisfied with their local success, the club believes it must now translate that dominance onto the continental stage.

“We’d really love some hardware from the BAL this coming season. That is our main focus now,” said Ibs.

Thunder became the first Kenyan club to qualify for the BAL, but their first two campaigns have also exposed the gap between the domestic game and Africa’s elite basketball clubs.

Ibs says the continental competition has served as an important reality check, particularly when Thunder come up against teams with significantly bigger budgets, deeper squads and greater access to international talent.

Rather than treating their BAL exits purely as setbacks, the coach says Thunder have used the experience to identify areas that need improvement.

The club has reviewed match footage, logistics and offensive efficiency while developing a plan aimed at addressing the shortcomings exposed by their latest continental campaign.

“It’s a great mirror for us to just look at ourselves and not become too overconfident with local success,” Ibs said.

The coach believes Thunder’s BAL ambitions must also shape how the club operates during the domestic season — from recruitment and budgeting to the quality of opposition they face.

Ibs also pointed to the need for stronger domestic competition if Kenyan clubs are to consistently challenge Africa’s leading teams. He cited Rwanda, where top sides regularly compete at a high level, giving them greater preparation for continental competition.

Thunder are meanwhile seeking to create a more professional environment within the club.

Diriye revealed that Thunder have moved their players into full-time professional roles, allowing them to concentrate fully on basketball rather than balancing the sport with other employment.

“If a player has to think about feeding his family and all of that other stuff, that’s going to be a big problem. I want him to focus on the court and to focus on his job, that is why we have to pay them well,” Diriye said.

The club is also investing in the next generation, with young Kenyan players, including those under the age of 21, training regularly as Thunder work to establish a sustainable talent pipeline.

Diriye further revealed plans to develop a dedicated Thunder facility, which would give the club greater control over training and player development instead of relying entirely on venues such as Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani.