Road to BAL: American-Nigerian 'UC' on what Nairobi City Thunder need to qualify
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 16.10.24. | 09:29
Matches tip off on Wednesday 16 October from 4PM at the Filbert Bayi Schools
Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) are raring to go as the East Division Group D Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) matches get underway on Wednesday 16 October in Kibaha, Tanzania.
The Division has been split into two with Group E matches being played in Zimbabwe from Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 October. The top two sides in each Group advance to the Elite 16 set for Johannesburg from Tuesday 12 November.
Thunder goes up against Seychelles' Beau Vallon Heat, Burundi's Urunani, GNBC of Madagascar and hosts JKT playing in a round-robin format.
Brad Ibs charges open their campaign on Wednesday 16 October from 4 PM (EAT), taking on two-time participants Beau Vallon Heat.
The Kenyan side has recruited heavily for the continental showpiece and ahead of the clash, Mozzart Sport caught up with 28-year-old American-Nigerian Uchenna Iroegbu, nicknamed UC, who maintains that NCT have what it takes to make it to BAL proper.
He has been with the team in Nairobi for more than a month and as they go to battle in Kibaha, he believes the squad is solid and nothing will stop them, should they execute well.
"I have had a fun time with the team in Nairobi during the preparations and the City is quickly becoming a favourite as there is a lot to do.
On court, we have a talented team that can compete at the highest level and we intend to keep winning and advancing in this competition," he opened up.
The Kenyan side that went unbeaten in the national league regular and playoff season to lift their maiden title are out to make history as the first Kenyan side to go beyond the Elite 16.
"Despite being debutants, all we need is to win our qualifying games and keep advancing. We have to stay together and connect while executing the best way possible to advance.
African basketball is tough, athletic, skilled and fast-paced so we have to be able to bring that out in our matches to match the rest of the teams here," he added.
UC is no stranger to BAL, having represented Guinean side SLAC in the 2023 BAL. The side qualified for BAL, playing in the Nile Conference but missed out on a playoff slot after finishing fifth in the six-team group.
"We definitely had good players at SLAC but overall I think we have better talent now with Thunder. However, it all comes down to putting all that talent together and winning games.
My job as a guard is to lead, keep guys organised, be a coach on the floor give them easy shots and keep them connected as I make big plays on my own as well.
If I continue to do my part and help my teammates get in the right situations, then their skill, talent and abilities will take over from there," he concluded.
.jpg)