Road To BAL Archives | The Big Tip Off

Ibs and Thunder look to hit the right notes in KBL and BAL

NAIROBI City Thunder have become domestic titans since the Twende ownership group took over the club. For the last two years, they have dominated the Kenyan basketball scene, and did so in spectacular fashion. One unbeaten season after another is shaping this ball club into a dynasty. The man who has crafted the Thunder’s invincibility on the court is Bradley Ibs.

With another season coming up, there will be new pressure. There will probably be talk of a dynasty and possibly maintaining the aura of invincibility. It’s something Ibs dismisses from his train of thought, and it has not crept into the team’s psyche.

“I think it’s something that gets discussed more outside our locker room than internally. I know that as a coaching staff, we spend zero time talking about it,” said Ibs. “It certainly doesn’t mean we don’t want to win. We are extremely competitive. I think our way of operation is ‘what can we do today, what can we do this week to get a little bit better?'”

Ibs continued: “We like to trust the fact that we have talented players in our locker room. I think if we stay on the cutting edge of improvement and keep the team motivated, then we can trust the results.”

Brad Ibs Road to BAL 2026 — **Brad Ibs and the Thunder want to redeem themselves in BAL Season 6. Pictures: FIBA**

While the Thunder ran rampant in the league again last year, Ibs says there were some nervous moments. “We had some scares last year… Some close games, I think one or two games might have gone into overtime,” said Ibs. “If we go undefeated again this season, then it will be great. I think ultimately we want to improve playing our best basketball until the end of the season and taking Nairobi City Thunder to another national championship.”

Ibs and the Thunder are also making a return to the BAL, after triumphing yet again at home at the Elite 16 stage of the continental qualifiers.

Having finished last year’s BAL Season 5 with a 1-5 record in the Nile Conference, Ibs will hope for a turnaround fortune this year.

He spoke about the lessons he learnt from their debut tournament and where he hopes the Thunder will finish this year.

“I think one of the lessons I learnt from the BAL last year is the importance of proper roster construction. There is a real sensitive balance when you build a roster for these types of tournaments,” said Ibs. “You need to maintain the core of who you are as much as you can, and also, there is a need for the high-level temporary players. Those are the plugin players because the time level is short to prepare them and get them on the same page.”

He finally spoke on the goal for this year’s BAL, and he intimated that going beyond the group stage would be a starting point.

“I think at a baseline level, we definitely want to make it out of conference play this year. We are also really hopeful that we will compete at a high level once we get into the final round in Rwanda,” said Ibs. “It was unfortunate how we played and how we represented ourselves last year. I don’t know how many teams in their first year of existence make it to the BAL… Win a game in the BAL. There were a lot of difficult lessons to learn, and I think we have learnt them.

“We look forward making some changes based on that knowledge that we got.”

Ibs and Thunder are in their preseason, and so far, they have hit the right notes with wins over a South Sudan select team and the army club, Ulinzi. With the rigours of domestic and international competition set to begin, Ibs will hope his band of Thunder players stay in tune and don’t miss a beat.

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Kalua believes getting to the BAL is a marathon not a sprint

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GRIFFIN Kalua will steer his club, Bravehearts Basketball Club, during the Road to BAL, having armed himself with new knowledge. This, after he journeyed to Saly, Senegal, for the BAL Pro Camp last month. The trip to the camp (25-27 September) in the West African country both opened Kalua’s eyes to new strategies and left him asking questions.

While he left with a few more tricks up his sleeve, Kalua, speaking to The Big Tip Off early in the month, could not help but note that the camp benefited one part of Africa and excluded the other. From an Xs and Os perspective, Kalua pointed out that some African coaches and players had come catching up to do.

“There is much we can learn about modern concepts from the NBA and other professional leagues, including how they expect their players to do certain things. It was vital for me to attend the camp,” said the Bravehearts owner and coach. “They (The BAL) want to prepare coaches and players… If they get opportunities (to go overseas), they should not feel out of place because some players have gone to America for trials, and there were concepts that coaches there had looked out for, which those players were not familiar with. Or if African coaches go for (job) interviews, and it is found that they do not know the concepts.

“So they want to bridge that gap between professional basketball and where we are in African basketball. We learnt a lot of concepts that are modern and popular in the NBA and Euroleague. So it was vital for players and coaches to be there.”

Kalua Bravehearts BIBC 2025 — **Griffin Kalua says Bravehearts are good to go for the Road to BAL. Pictures: The BTO**

Kalua, who funded his trip to Senegal, noted that Africa is gradually making progress. However, he emphasised the importance of inclusivity, stressing that the benefits of the program should reach the entire continent.

“The gap is narrowing a little bit. Unfortunately, it’s only narrowing for certain parts of Africa. Not Africa as whole. It’s like there is a bias towards certain parts of Africa. So the gap will be growing among African countries,” said Kalua.

Questioned further why he thought the gaze of organisations like the NBA and the BAL would focus on some countries and not others, he lamented the lack of leadership, particularly in Southern Africa.

“If you look at Zone 6, only Angola and Mozambique are serious about their basketball… The rest of the countries are behind. So it’s understandable why there would be a kind of bias. Why these programs are concentrated in countries like Senegal is that they are serious about basketball,” said Kalua.

With the Southern African leg of the Road to BAL around the corner, he hopes the X’s and O’s concepts he learnt in Senegal will pay off for Bravehearts.

“We have already started to implement some of the concepts. Fortunately, because we travelled a lot and we played different teams, we were already on the right path,” said Kalua. “This (the pro camp) has pushed us closer to where we want to be. So, the implementation was not difficult because we were already aware of some of the concepts.”

With ballers like Harrison Banda, Ian Limbe, Faad Billy, Milton Caifaz and Americans Kirk Smith and Marquis Cunningham being part of the Bravehearts team and lessons learnt from the Bravehearts International Basketball Challenge (BIBC) in late August, Kalua believes the club can qualify for the Elite 16.

“I am confident because we have sorted out the areas of concern. We only have to finalise the clearances of our players. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Zimbabwe, where we couldn’t field players because of clearances. So we hope to clear everybody as soon as possible,” said Kalua.

Griffin Kalua BIBC 2025 — **Griffin Kalua says his players are up to scratch with new basketball concepts.**

While Kalua’s ambition is to qualify Bravehearts for the BAL, he reiterated the message of patience.

“I am not in a hurry. When you look at the level of competition at the BAL or the Elite 16, it’s not easy, it’s hard,” said Kalua. “Our goal is to make the Elite 16. Our experience at the Elite 16 last year helped us make adjustments that we believe are good enough.

“We are not going to buy our way to the BAL. We are going to work and the results will speak. It’s not something that we will be denied for a long time. We will get that opportunity to play at the BAL.”

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Ramabu, Dolphins chase Elite 16 spot in Road to BAL

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BOTSILE Ramabu intimated that playing in continental basketball gave him a rude awakening. The Botswana-born baller, a former student-athlete at West Virginia University Potomac State College, admits he initially underestimated the game on the African continent. So, it took something special to convince him African basketball was no child’s play.

“It has been a big transition for me. I was one of the people who came from the US, and maybe I did not respect the game in Africa the way I should have. Tournaments like the Road to BAL and 3X3s around the continent showed me the talent and competition is there. It showed me African basketball should be respected as well,” admitted Ramabu.

Past experiences on the court have humbled the 24-year-old Ramabu. While making the Road to BAL looks to have been the easy part, unfortunately, the attempt to advance beyond the preliminary stages with the Dolphins Basketball Club (2023) and Botswana Defence Force (2024) has proven a tall and frustrating task.

Botsile Ramabu Dolphins 2025 — **Dolphins’ big man Botsile Ramabu has learnt to fly high in the Road to BAL. Picture: FIBA Africa**

For Ramabu and the Dolphins, the disappointments of the past can change in the coming weeks. With the Southern African leg of the Road to BAL qualifiers set to take place, possibly in Zambia (at a date to be determined), the supremely talented Ramabu and the five-time domestic league champions, Dolphins, will return to the Road to BAL competition for a third time.

“From the beginning (of the season), one of our objectives was to win our domestic league and get back to the qualifiers. Losing the title to BDF last year was disappointing, so it felt good to get it back. Going back to play at this stage again with the Dolphins also feels good. It’s great to put the Dolphins on top again,” said Ramabu.

Recalling the journey to once again capturing another title for the Dolphins and winning his first as a professional, the 6ft8 (2.03m) forward highlighted a hurdle early on for the club, which would go on to solidify them as a unit.

“We had some adversity at the beginning of the season. We had a preseason tournament, which the Police (V Basketball) won. From that moment, they (Police) were seen as the favourites to win (the title). So the adversity helped us push through, and we finished the season undefeated. It shows we deserve to be where we are,” said Ramabu, a former St Albans College pupil. “It also felt good to win my first championship. In 2023, I joined Dolphins for the qualifiers, as I was playing for another team prior.”

Ramabu continued: “It feels good to be doing it with a team I want to be on. This is a team I am comfortable with – my brothers. Great coaching staff. Great management. Amazing leadership from my captain and coach. It feels good to win something like this with the right team.”

Having learnt from falling short with the Dolphins and BDF, Ramabu says ensuring the team is fine-tuned and singing from the same page on the court will be crucial to the success of the club (Dolphins).

“It’s something we have spoken about as teammates. Small details can be the difference between winning the game by 10 or losing the game by 10. The good thing about this group is that several of us have played at the Road to BAL before. Having guys who have been there will help us execute the right plays in offence and defence in crucial phases of the game,” said Ramabu. “Those are the small details I am talking about. They can help you win the game.”

Botsile Ramabu in action for Dolphins 2025 — **Botsile Ramabu hopes to be all smiles at the end of the first round of the Road to BAL.**

Knowing where they are and the playing personnel in the team, how far will the Dolphins go in this year’s Road to BAL?

“I see us going to the Elite 16. It’s no knock on the teams that will be there, it’s just the faith I have in my group,” said Ramabu. “We have gone through challenges of a financial nature – fortunately, our coach has helped us focus on the game, while management deals with the financial stuff.

“So I see us taking a step closer. In 2023, when we hosted, we won two out of our three games, and we had hoped to get a wild card, but that did not happen. So this time around, the goal is to take big steps towards making it.”

Both Ramabu and the Dolphins will hope the coming third Road to BAL appearance will also be the charm that leads to the Elite 16. The road to the tournament comes with financial challenges, but with the necessary support, a solution will be within reach. These Dolphins are ready to swim against the tide and make waves on the big stage!

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Ubisse and Beira look to get on track at Road to BAL

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FERROVIARIO da Beira forward Helton Ubisse has been sporting a distinctive look, which has set him apart from his teammates. While not by choice, the Mozambican has worn goggles since 2023. The eyewear which Ubisse has had to wear after sustaining an injury that kept him out for six months has not diminished his prowess on the court, and he has referred to it as a part of his style.

“I had a small surgery on my eye, so I have to protect the area because of the physical nature of the game. At first, it was hard to adapt to the goggles, but now I’m more comfortable. I sometimes forget I have them on,” said Ubisse. “They have become a part of me. They are my style. People characterise me with them.”

Another trait Ubisse possesses is being a formidable scorer and rebounder for the six-time Liga de Mocambicana de Basquetebol champions. The long-serving nimble-footed big man has always shifted a gear for the Locomotivas in inter-African club competitions. In the years Beira competed in the old FIBA club tournaments and the current Road to BAL, the 30-year-old has delivered the goods.

Ubisse has a career average of 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in club qualifiers and competitions. The 30-year-old says he always strives to play at a high level and improve his game.

“I have to invest more in shooting the ball because it’s Modern basketball. The goal is always to improve the average of points and rebounds. I’m working hard to be at the highest level this year,” said Ubisse.

Helton Ubisse Ferroviario da Beira 2025 — **Helton says the Road to BAL qualifiers are tougher than the old FIBA Club qualifiers. Pictures: FIBA Africa**

Having competed in the old FIBA qualifiers, how do they compare to the Road to BAL? “The FIBA qualifications tournament is easier than the Road to BAL,” said Ubisse.

“Teams in the Road to BAL are stronger because everyone wants to be in BAL. The teams invested more in their players and coaches, and there are quality foreign players.”

Beira, who competed in 2022 and 2023 BAL, are also making a return to the Road to BAL after last competing in 2023. He says it was “frustrating” to miss out on the Road to BAL after making consecutive appearances from 2021.

“It was frustrating because in the last three years we were always Mozambique’s team… That’s why we organised ourselves this year and won our national championship to be able to be on the Road To BAL,” said Ubisse.

While citing the lack of preparation in their last Road to BAL, he says this year the approach will be different.

“We need to work harder and go into this year’s tournament with more humility. Importantly, there should be respect among us players. I think these are the things that will make us successful on the court,” said Ubisse. “We didn’t prepare well as a team (in 2023). We thought the competition would be easy, and we would enter BAL. Instead, we got a surprise.”

Helton Ubisse Ferroviario da Beira — **Helton Ubisse says the goggles are part of his identity on the court.**

Since then, Mozambique have not had a team compete at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in the last two years. The absence from the BAL is a concerning issue for Ubisse, given his country’s strong passion for basketball.

It’s not good for Mozambique because BAL is the highest level of basketball in Africa. It also shows that clubs from other countries are investing well,” concluded Ubisse.

Ubisse is correct that clubs are investing in continental competition, and Beira have not been left behind. They may have gone off the rails two years ago, but a tightening of nuts and bolts and a good greasing of the wheels could make the Locomativas a mean machine in their return to the Road to BAL.

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Chukwurah, Blazers to follow players who know the Road to BAL

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ANTHONY Chukwurah was reflective about what basketball has done for him. Having started in South Africa, the idea that the game could take him all over the continent was far-fetched, given the timing he picked up the game. Since turning pro, he has won a second career major title last year with Liberia’s Mighty Barrolle, and this year with his current club, Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers, he is on the verge of securing another major career title.

During his interview with The Big Tip Off, Chukwurah dropped more interesting insights about how he is adapting to his present environment and how South Africa set the stage for him to pursue a basketball career.

A late bloomer

Nigeria-born Chukwurah did not play basketball until he came to South Africa, a country he regards as his home. Already in his late teens, the forward had come to the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to further his studies, and along with pursuing education, the hoops bug bit.

“South Africa is my home. It (South Africa) made me who I am regarding basketball. I always give props to Mr. Thabang Kgwedi and Mr. Andrew Brown. Coach Brown was the second team coach at VUT. He is the one who gave me the opportunity,” said Chukwurah. “I was always playing football. I started playing basketball when I got to VUT.”

Anthony Chukwurah Namuwongo Blazers — **Anthony Chukwurah and Namuwongo Blazers will compete in the NBL final. Pictures: Namuwong Blazers**

Chukwurah describes himself as a sports aficionado, and taking up basketball was an adjustment process – he also learnt quickly to adapt.

“It was a lot at first. I had an idea of the sport, but I had never played it. All I knew was that you bounced the ball and you shot it,” said Chukwurah. “I am a quick learner. You can put me on a baseball pitch and, given time, I will learn. That is the thing about me and sports.

“So with VUT, I had guidance from Andrew Brown, and the team was also welcoming. So that helped a lot.”

He did carve out a successful university career, winning USSA titles in 2018 and 2022.

Business of going pro

He intimated gratitude to the game and the place it has taken him. “It’s been a blessing. I never thought that bouncing a ball would take me to all these places. It’s been a blessing getting to learn different cultures and languages. So it’s an experience I am grateful for,” said Chukwurah.

While in South Africa, he also played for Basketball National League (BNL) franchises Egoli Magic and the Tshwane Suns, where he won his first league title in 2021. But there was another country that wholly cemented the idea that he could pursue a pro career.

Mozambique, where Chukwurah played for Ferroviário de Nampula, opened his eyes to a more established professional setting.

“In South Africa, I thought ‘there could be something here’. When I got the chance to go to Mozambique, I realised I could actually make a living out of basketball. I understood the logistics and business side of things,” said Chukwurah. “As long as I put in the work to increase my value, I can make a living from the game.

“I have always loved sports. If you give me that, than sitting behind a desk, I’ll take sports anytime.”

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From the looks of things, Chukwurah has made a wise career choice. Apart from playing in Mozambique, his talent has seen him grace his home country, Nigeria, where he played for Hoops & Read. Following the success in Liberia, he and Uganda’s Namuwongo are riding the wave, which could lead to a championship.

Blazing a trail with Namuwongo

The NBL final series against the country’s 10-time champions, City Oilers, has been postponed to a later date (26 October) as Namuwongo are set to compete in the Road to BAL in Tanzania next week (17 October). Chukwurah and the Blazers, who go to the Road to BAL based on their current season’s performances, will take on host club DarCity and Burundi’s Dynamo.

Chukwurah will, together with Namuwongo, share a first, competing in the Road to BAL. At the time of the interview, Chukwurah, who was nursing a left toe injury, spoke in an adamant tone about being part of the continental qualifiers. Saying it was part of his mission during his time in Uganda.

“Definitely, that is the goal. I have not played in the last two games because of an injury. So I have been working hard to get back on time for the finals,” said Chukwurah. “It’s a cutthroat business. It’s a performance-based business. Having said that, I want to go (to the Road to BAL) with the Blazers.”

He expanded more on his appreciation for the Namuwongo’s fans. “It’s beautiful. In the last two games I have sat out, I have seen things from a fan’s perspective. I experienced the atmosphere. Basketball out here is like a religion. We have a whole community supporting us, you see the joy you give to people when we have won. That’s when you feel that this is more than just a sport,” said Chukwurah.

Another interesting aspect of Namuwongo is the significant influence of former City Oilers players. Ivan Muwhezi, James Okello, Tonny Drileba and Jimmy Enabu are seasoned internationals who have played in numerous Road to BAL campaigns. Chukwurah has learnt a lot from rubbing shoulders with them.

“We have a saying in Nigeria, ‘follow who know road’. Follow those who know the way. These are guys who have won the championship. Some of them have done it nine times. So it has been a pleasure learning from them,” said Chukwurah. “I stick close to these guys. I listen to everything they have to say because they possess a lot of knowledge.

“A guy like Tonny Drileba has helped me a lot. He helped me adapt to the game this side.”

Chukwurah has warmed up to Namuwongo and is looking to trailblaze with the 10-year-old club, aiming to make their mark on the African continent.

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Kadiwa aims to end his Bravehearts career on a high

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MADILITSO Kadiwa has been with Bravehearts since the club’s inception. In those early days, pain and struggle were the order of the day as Bravehearts were establishing themselves on the court. As club captain, Kadiwa has led Bravehearts through a time of prosperity. Since 2018, the 38-year-old has won four national championships, turning Bravehearts into giants of the game.

After his long service to the 10-year-old club, which became the first from his country to make the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL last year under his leadership on the court, Kadiwa will hang up his sneakers this season.

Kadiwa expressed contentment with his legacy with Bravehearts and what the club has become.

“It has meant so much. When Bravehearts started, we could only dream about what the club could be. Of course, we wanted it to be big and break boundaries, like competing in international tournaments,” said Kadiwa. “So I am pretty happy with how my basketball career turned out with the Bravehearts… and to now see where the club is.”

Madalitso Kadiwa Bravehearts 2025 — **Madalitso Kadiwa say the BIBC showed where Bravehearts need work. Pictures: The BTO and FIBA Africa**

As a Bravehearts player, three things shaped his career: “Discipline, hard work and passion for the game,” said Kadiwa.

Before Kadiwa calls time on his career, he will lead the club to another Road to BAL mission. After Bravehearts’ historic qualification for the Elite 16 in Kenya last year, eyes will be on them and how they fare this year.

He says the club’s recent Brave Hearts International Challenge (BIBC), where they lost in the final to Zambia’s Munali Suns, was a good measuring stick. There they also faced Zimbabwe’s Basket Hounds and Zambia’s Matero Magic, two teams that will also head to the Road to BAL, which takes place later this month.

“We had the BIBC, and it showed us where we are lacking. Our coaches have also discussed areas that need improvement. We will need a couple of friendlies so that we can come in match fit and improve our chances of going back to the Elite 16,” said Kadiwa.

While the qualification for the Elite 16 was impressive, Kadiwa says they are hungry to go further, and their ultimate goal, while ambitious, is to make the BAL.

“When we made it out (of the preliminary phase in Zimbabwe last year) and qualified for the Elite 16, it painted a clear picture that we can go far,” said Kadiwa. “We can qualify if we prepare well. I am sure everyone is ready and they feel we can take the club to the next level. Not just the Elite 16, but to another level.”

Madalitso Kadiwa Road to BAL 2023 — **Madalitso Kadiwa and Bravehearts want to go all the way in the Road to BAL qualifiers.**

Kadiwa is optimistic about his immediate playing future for the Bravehearts, but he is also preparing for his next move after his playing days.

Coaching is his next stop. During the BIBC tournament, Kadiwa attended a course facilitated by FIBA instructor Ronnie Owino.

“Given what Bravehearts has done for me, I want to give back. I took the opportunity to do a coaching course led by Coach Owino from Kenya. It is a Level One and Two course that focuses on youth development,” said Kadiwa. “Bravehearts have a couple of youth teams, and I want to be involved in those programs.”

Bravehearts club owner and coach Griffin Kalua describes Kadiwa as the heart and soul of the club. “There would not be Bravehearts without Montana. That is what we call him. Montana. He has been a leader on and off the court. He has gone to war for us even when he was injured,” said Kalua.

While Kadiwa has stated his intention to call time on his career, Kalua feels he still has a few more years in him. “He is in his late 30s, but he still suits up and outperforms the young ones. I don’t think he will retire anytime soon,” Kalua said with a light chuckle. “He is another Lebron. I don’t know what will happen the day that he stops wearing the Bravehearts jersey. It will be a sad day for us as we are used to having him on the team.”

Kalua does hope Kadiwa will still be a part of the club when he calls it a day. “I hope he can remain part of the team when he stops playing. We would want him to come and coach the youngsters.”

The curtain is still far from closing on Kadiwa’s glittering and fulfilling career. The hope is that he bows out having led the team to qualification for the BAL. It would be a great exclamation to his undying commitment to Bravehearts.

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Lele banks on BEAC ending Cameroon’s BAL roadblock

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CAMEROON’S Valentin Lele is carving out a successful career for himself in his homeland. Since 2023, he has won a domestic championship. But this year, along with the national trophy, he added the title of MVP to his list of successes.

As he prepares for a third Road to BAL appearance with his third club, the domestic Elite Messieurs champions Bank of Central African States (BEAC) from Cameroon, Lele reflected on his journey of growth. Apart from playing continental club qualifiers, Lele has also donned the colours of the Indomitable Lions at the 2023 AfroCan and the recent AfroBasket in Angola.

Lele says playing at the Road to BAL, AfroCan, and the AfroBasket has allowed him to acquire knowledge from top players.

“As a player, these competitions have allowed me to rub shoulders with great and professional players. I have learned a lot from them, about the mental and physical aspects of the game,” said the 21-year-old.

Looking back at the AfroBasket, where Cameroon finished in fourth place, Lele was thankful to coach Alfred Aboya for giving him a shot, but was disappointed at how the tournament ended for the Indomitable Lions.

Valentin Lele Cameroon — **Valentin Lele, second from left, and the Indomitable Lions finished fourth at the 2025 AfroBasket. Pictures: FIBA Africa and Supplied**

Before the third and fourth place, the Lions had lost their semi-final encounter to eventual champions Angola in the final seconds.

“It was a very difficult moment because we believed in ourselves, we gave it our all, but it wasn’t enough. We hope to do better next time. I want to also thank the coach for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Through this experience, I was able to assess my level of play and identify areas for improvement”, said Lele.

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Chasing a third Road to BAL

Lele turned his attention to the Road to BAL, where his team, BEAC, the seven-time champions, will compete for the first time and try to qualify for the BAL. The last Cameroon team to qualify for the BAL was FAP, who made it to the semi-final stage in 2022.

Looking at the recent history of Cameroon’s clubs at the tournament, teams like FAP and Kadji Sports Academy have fallen short at the Road to BAL stage.

It’s a storyline Lele is familiar with. He was part of the FAP (2023), and Kadji Sports (2024) when they hit a roadblock in those tournaments. Explaining those disappointing runs, Lele cited a lack of preparation.

“I would simply say that we weren’t sufficiently prepared, and we faced teams that were stronger than us,” said Lele.

So, can BEAC be the Cameroon club that bucks the trend of the country’s clubs struggling on the Road to BAL? Lele is confident they can.

“The elements that can allow BEAC to succeed in the Road to BAL, in my humble opinion, are discipline and hard work,” said Lele. “We have exceptional staff, a good team spirit and a hunger for victory.”

Valentin Lele BEAC — **Valentin Lele was crowned MVP during the championship season with BEAC.**

Lele also spoke on the impact of coach Kevin Ngwese, who led Cameroon to second place in the U18 AfroBasket last year and has won a national title with FAP.

“Our coach is a hardworking and rigorous man who knows how to put players at ease and, above all, create a good team atmosphere. I think these qualities are what will lead us to success,” said Lele, of Ngwese, the former national team player now turned coach.

From Lele’s words, everything is in place for him and BEAC to be successful at the upcoming Road to BAL, but can they cash in on their talent and qualify for the BAL?

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Odero ready for Road to BAL take off with the Thunder

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HE is nicknamed Kenya Airways. A moniker he earned for his spectacular high-flying dunks, which have wowed fans at various gyms in the East African nation. His actual name is Albert Odero, and he is part of a group of star players who make up Kenya’s super team, Nairobi City Thunder.

The 28-year-old Odero was nicknamed by his teammate Faheem Juma, who compared his high-flying style on the court to the nation’s air carrier.

While being a skywalker has made Odero popular, he feels there is more to his game. “One of my teammates, Faheem, gave me the name four or five years ago, and it just stuck. I feel like I do more than jump high and dunk on people. It’s a blessing to have the athleticism, and if it entertains people, then I don’t mind putting on a show for the crowd,” said Odero.

Albert Odero and Ken Wachira 2025 — **Ken Wachira and Albert Odero celebrate qualifying for the BAL last year. Pictures: FIBA Africa**

The Thunder fans are certainly loving it! They have seen Odero and the Thunder rocket to the stratosphere after being crowned champions in Kenya’s Basketball League for the second time running. The Thunder outdid themselves once more, ending their spectacular charge to the title with another unbeaten run.

Odero, speaking to The Big Tip Off on Monday, a day after they beat Kenya Ports Authority 3-0 in the finals series, attributed the success to a positive team dynamic.

“It’s consistency. We have guys who work hard, well together and who want what’s best for the team, said Odero. “So in those two years, we have become familiar. It’s a whole lot of things put in a pot, and it’s working,” said Odero.

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Having one unbeaten season is no easy feat, but to do it a second time, while astounding for the Thunder, it would raise questions about the quality of the teams they faced in the domestic league.

Odero, on the other hand, took a different view. “I would not say it was easy. You still have to come in and prove yourself. These teams are not going to let you come in and walk all over them,” said Odero. “It was not easy. We put in the hard work. We know how much investment the owners put into the team, so that is what they expect.”

Winning the league again means another Road to BAL, where they could potentially qualify for the BAL, as was the case last year.

In the Road to BAL stage, the Thunder posted an impressive 8-1 record. In the Elite 16 final phase on home soil, they delivered inspiring performances that made them the first Kenyan team to qualify for the BAL.

Odero says knowing the terrain of the continental qualifiers is an advantage for the Thunder. “We have one year under our belt… So we will be more comfortable. The other teams, too, have been there before, so they will invest. It’s just coming there with a chip on our shoulder. We know it’s not going to be easy, we know what it takes,” said Odero.

Albert Odero Nairobi City Thunder 2025 — **Albert Odero understands this year’s Road to BAL will be more challenging.**

The experience at this year’s BAL was a step in the growth of the Thunder and their players. However, their record, 1-5 in the BAL’s Nile Conference, shows the Thunder are a work in progress.

“It was a good learning experience for the management and the players. This year, if we get the opportunity again we should not repeat the mistakes of last year,” said Odero.

His words carry wisdom from lessons learnt, and confidence in what the future holds. As the Thunder return to the continental realm, there will be turbulence and, at times, smooth sailing. So if the Thunder are to remain in flight on the Road to BAL, it will require Odero and his teammates to maintain level-heads.

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Nemutambwe expects Hounds to bite in the Road to BAL

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ZIMBABWE’S Basket Hounds have had a fearsome bite in the country’s basketball scene. The man who has kept the Hounds’ teeth continuously razor-sharp and being a cut above the rest is club coach Tawanda Nemutambwe. In October, months after the Hounds won their second national domestic title, they will make another appearance at the Road to BAL.

Looking back at the Hounds’ debut tournament last year, held in the Zimbabwe capital, Harare, Nemutambwe says they were trying to find their feet.

“It was hard because we did not know what we were getting into. Everything, from preparation to scouting, we learnt on the go. Recovery was also hard for us because we did not get a rest day,” said Nemutambwe, whose team finished with a 2-3 record last year. “I think it was the hardest Road to BAL in our region (Zone 6). Going into this year’s tournament, we will do better. Our tactics and scouting will be better.”

Tawanda Nemutambwe 2025 — **Tawanda Nemutambwe will lead Basket Hounds to a second Road to BAL. Pictures: The BTO**

Knowing the demands of African basketball, Nemutambwe, who coached Zimbabwe’s U18 men’s team during the 2024 age-group AfroBasket qualifiers, says players must maintain clean lifestyles. Another aspect he stresses to the players is being physically up to par with their opponents in the Road to BAL.

“We have spoken to them about taking care of their bodies… Not consuming alcohol or taking substances,” said Nemutambwe. “Going to the gym is another thing. It’s something we lack as a country. Our players don’t like to work out.

“With this group of players that has improved. They are putting in the work. It’s something I have been hammering since our first Road to BAL. I feel it has gotten better.”

Sharing his reflections on the domestic season, Nemutambwe says having the same group of players who retained the domestic championship last year was a key ingredient.

“Maintaining the core of our team was important for us. These are the same players who became part of the team when it started,” said Nemutambwe. “We have trained together and formulated a system that we trust and that works for us.”

Nemutambwe’s team recently tested themselves at the Bravehearts International Basketball Challenge in Malawi, where they fell to the host club, Bravehearts, in the semi-finals.

Tawanda Nemutambwe Basket Hounds 2025 — **Tawanda Nemutambwe says conditioning of his players will be key in the Road to BAL.**

He says the tournament was to gauge themselves and where they were since winning the league championship.

“We wanted to see where we were because we had just got back to training. Some of the teams at the tournament (Bravehearts and Matero Magic) are going to compete at the Road to BAL,” said Nemutambwe. “One of the takeaways from that tournament was our conditioning. We must work on that because the games we lost (in the BIBC) had a lot to do with conditioning.

“It’s something we noted. To get the results, we must pay attention to our conditioning.”

Namutambwe has a few weeks to tighten the nuts and bolts within his team. Going far on the Road to BAL requires clubs to be lean, mean and flawless machines. Or in the case of the Hounds, they will need a ferocious bite!

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Hectic playing schedule will make Banda a busy baller

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HARRISON Banda is going to experience a hectic club schedule in the coming weeks. With his club, Munali Suns, Banda is already two games into the domestic Midlands Basketball Association League campaign. Coming up is a highly anticipated derby match against Lusaka rivals and 12-time Zambia Basketball League (ZBL) champions Matero Magic on Friday at 8 pm.

The experienced Banda, winner of the fifth edition of the Bravehearts International (BIBC) challenge earlier in the month with the Suns, will be with the 2022-2023 ZBL champions temporarily. The reason for the short stay with the Suns is that Banda has to rejoin Brave Hearts for the preliminary phase of the Road to BAL, which starts around October.

So, the Suns, 2-0 in the provincial league, have to make full use of 28-year-old Banda’s talents before he heads back to neighbouring Malawi for Bravehearts’ continental sojourn.

Harrison Banda Munali Suns — **Harrison Banda is looking forward to the derby match against Matero Magic. Picture: The BTO**

While playing in continental competition is always a thrilling prospect, Banda also wants to give Munali his best. He is locked in for the expected humdinger league battle on Friday. He says winning the BIBC has improved confidence within the Suns team.

“It’s great for our morale. It motivates us to push harder this season. We have not won anything in a while, so it sets a good precedent for us for the rest of the season,” said Banda, the BIBC MVP.

Ahead of the battle royale against the Magic, the veteran big man feels the Suns will be a more competitive outfit this time around. He also highlighted the importance of paying attention to every detail.

“We are very excited. I am looking forward to the game. We have a good team compared to last season,” said Banda. “Looking back at when we played them last season, we focused a lot on their imports and ignored their local guys. This time around, our approach will be different.”

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Banda rolling with the Bravehearts once again

The Suns have only won one championship, but Banda spoke with determination about the 21-year-old club’s hunger to recapture the title they won two years ago. He believes being one unit will be key to unlocking success for Munali.

“I think we should stick together as a group and focus on one goal. There are a couple of players who left at the end of last season. So the new players that have come in know what the mission is, and I am confident they can help us achieve,” said Banda.

Banda also looks forward to his fourth Road to BAL, especially after playing a crucial role in leading Brave Hearts to Elite 16 qualification last year. While their run ended at the latter stage, Banda, who averaged 10 points and 13.3 rebounds last year, says the playing personnel brought in can improve the team’s chances.

“I think this time around, we need to look into recruitment and bring in the right players. Another thing is the strengthening of the technical team. We struggled a bit because we had one coach, so with an assistant, we can cover the blind spots,” said Banda.

**Harrison Banda feels Bravehearts needs to improve certain departments for this year’s Road to BAL.**

Banda is hungry on all fronts. His experience is second to none, and while many would see him as stretched, given his commitments, the veteran player believes he is well aware of this rodeo. As long as his legs can carry him, Munali and Bravehearts will get the best of him.

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