Al Ahly Ly Dominates Nairobi City Thunder to Boost Basketball Africa League Playoff Hopes

Posted : 04 April 2026

Al Ahly Libya revitalized their 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign with a commanding 107–80 win over Nairobi City Thunder on Friday. The victory at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria moves the Libyan champions to a 2–2 record in the Kalahari Conference. This performance marks the second game in a row where the team has eclipsed the 100-point mark, showcasing their offensive depth.

The Kenyan champions started the game with high intensity as they fought to keep their postseason dreams alive. Nairobi City Thunder displayed tactical discipline in the first half and successfully rallied to take a 42–40 lead into the break. Their resilience forced Al Ahly Ly into several difficult defensive rotations during the opening two quarters.

However, the 2024 BAL runners-up seized control immediately after the restart with a devastating third-quarter run. Donovan Williams and Jo Lual Acuil spearheaded the attack, with both players finishing the night with 23 points. Majok Deng also provided a significant spark, contributing 20 points while shooting an efficient 8-for-9 from the field.

The turning point occurred in the third period where Al Ahly Ly’s lead ballooned to as much as 31 points. Donovan Williams noted after the game that team maturity was the key factor in weathering the Thunder’s early momentum. He praised the squad’s collective resilience for preventing the first-half deficit from spiraling out of control.

Nairobi City Thunder struggled to maintain their pace in the second half as fatigue and injuries took a toll. Albert Odero, returning from a hamstring issue, was unfortunately forced off the court with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Despite the loss, Jawachi Nzeakor and Derrick Ogechi both managed to score 13 points each for the Kenyan side.

Thunder guard Derrick Ogechi admitted that his team failed to match the intensity Al Ahly Ly brought after the halftime interval. He acknowledged the experience of the Libyan roster as a deciding factor in the blowout result. The Thunder now sit at 1–3 and face a must-win scenario in their final conference fixture.

The result places Al Ahly Ly in a strong position heading into their Saturday clash against the Johannesburg Giants. Meanwhile, Nairobi City Thunder must regroup quickly before they close their Kalahari Conference schedule against Dar City on Sunday. The race for the final playoff spots remains tight as the conference reaches its conclusion.

Al Ahly Ly Dominates Nairobi City Thunder to Boost Basketball Africa League Playoff Hopes

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