Road To BAL 2025 | Elite 16 – Division East | Semifinals
- Urunani vs Kriol Star – 6:00pm
- Nairobi City Thunder vs City Oilers – 8:30pm
The ultimate test for Ugandan champions City Oilers and their Kenyan counterparts Nairobi City Thunder at the East Division tournament of the Road to BAL Elite 16 is on today.
The two sides face off at Kasarani Indoor Arena in a semifinal tie whose winner punches a ticket to next year’s Basketball Africa League.
City Oilers’ second-half collapse in the ultimate group game against Burundian side Urunani on Sunday meant they have to go through the high-octane Thunder if they are to return to the lucrative league for a third season on the bounce.
The two sides have played contrasting styles of basketball so far with Oilers, more often than not, advancing and running half-court sets at a slow pace while the Thunder have been playing a high-tempo game swinging the ball quicker in the half-court to cause defensive collapses for wide open outside shots or driving lanes.
Thunder found little resistance throughout their group play, blowing by their opponents cheered on by home fans. However, there were cracks in their game, particularly defensively, that Cape Verde side Kriol who play small ball exposed in their matchup. Bradley Thoma’s men did not look as comfortable when the game was slowed down and when pressed up the court.
Key Battles
Uche Iroegbu vs. Parrish Petty
Nigerian point guard Iroegbu controls Thunder’s quick flow of traffic. While his outside is not potent, Iroegbu‘s quick and strong penetration dribble can move the defense to create some open looks for sharpshooter Abdoulaye Harouna or dump it off to Garang Diing for an easy layup.
On the other hand, Petty is a proven outside shot maker who can create his own shot off the dribble but also create for others, especially bigs in the lane. Petty holds the key to Oilers offensive production.
Abdoulaye Harouna vs. Germain Roebuck
Thunder’s outside production heavily lies on Niger shooting guard Harouna. With the ability to pull up off the dribble, spot up and sometimes drive to the hole, Harouna poses a major threat inside out. Roebuck, who is probably Oilers’ best wing defender, will have some work on his hands as he could also have to step up to Tylor Ongwae.
Tylor Ongwae vs Falando Jones
When the game slows down, the ball will probably be in the hands of Ongwae. The veteran wing is a quiet assassin who uses screens so well to get to his spot for outside shooting. Falando Jones who is likely to be the primary defender does not particularly fight well through screens and Roebuck could step up to the Kenyan forward.
Offensively, Jones has not been efficient self and coach Andrew Tendo will need more from the vet in the game of very high stakes.
Ater Majok vs Israel Otobo
A potent big man has been City Oilers’ Achilles’ heel over the years in BAL but in Israel Otobo, the Ugandan side struck gold. The Nigerian centre has dominated the paint and holds the key to not giving away second-chance opportunities. A top-tier rebounder, Otobo also contributes massively on the offensive end of the floor.
Majok has slowed down over the past couple of years and will likely have a torrid night against Otobo in the post.
Garang Diing vs Titus Odeke
Akol Diing has young legs and runs the floor so well in Thunder’s quick transition offense. The South Sudan forward can also pull the trigger from the corner.
On the flip side, Odeke likes to trail plays and has developed his shot from the top of the mountain. Like Diing, Odeke roams the perimeter and can take a dribble to the basket.
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