Nairobi City Thunder head coach Brad Ibs has downplayed pressure ahead of the team’s debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), saying the focus is on performance rather than proving a point.
The Kenyan side made history by qualifying for the NBA-backed tournament after winning the Elite 16 phase in Nairobi last year. They now head to Kigali, Rwanda, for the Nile Conference group stage, where they aim to go a step further and reach the play-offs.
Speaking to Telecomasia.net after the team’s final training session in Nairobi, Coach Ibs said expectations were high but insisted the team remains grounded.
“Obviously it’s a big deal, but we are not even thinking about it that way. If we do, we’ll get distracted,” he said. “We keep preaching how we can get better—on defense and offense, staying together. If we do that, we’ll be happy with the result. If not, we’ll be disappointed. Of course, the pressure is there in the background, but we don’t talk about it.”
In Kigali, Thunder will face Rwandan hosts APR, South Africa’s MBB, and Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli. The top two teams will proceed to the BAL playoffs. Thunder previously faced MBB during the Elite 16, beating them 102–59, but Ibs insists nothing will come easy.
“These are great teams. Any side that has made it to BAL is no pushover. Teams have strengthened their squads and the competition will be tough,” Ibs noted. “We’re ready for the challenge, but we’ll take it one game at a time and play with immense respect for every opponent.”
The Nile Conference group stage tips off this Saturday in Kigali.
