Unstoppable Nairobi Thunder maintains winning streak

**Martin Boluma (left) of Kenya Ports Authority challenges Davies Siaji of Equity Dumas during their Kenya Basketball Federation match at Nyayo National Stadium Basketball Court on March 1, 2025.** [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Reigning Kenya Basketball Federation Men’s Premier League champions Nairobi City Thunder extended their unbeaten run to remain top of the table.

Thunder showed who is boss by thrashing Strathmore University Blades 95-77 to maintain their 100 per cent league win record that stands from last season.

They top the table with 24 points from 12 matches. Kenya Morans point guard Derrick Ogechi had a field day sinking 29 points as Thunder who are preparing for the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference contest ran over the Strathmore students.

They also used the match to test team cohesion with their latest BAL signings Feleciano Perez and Nana Apiah appearing on the day’s roster. Perez played for 21 minutes and 13 seconds scoring eight points while Apiah did not play.

Umoja were top gainers of the Easter weekend fixtures as they bagged maximum points to move to second place with 22 points. They began their weekend with a 70-63 win over University of Nairobi (UoN) Terror then ended it with 64-45 victory against Stanbic Shields.

The successful outings saw Umoja who were initially placed fourth dislodge former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Ulinzi Warriors to third and fourth place.

Umoja have played 13 matches won nine and lost four. KPA who have 20 points and Ulinzi with 18 were not in action. Against the bankers, Kenya Morans point guard Victor Bosire and Joel Ntambwe led from the from with 14 points each while Marol Achei added 13.

The duo of Bosire and Ntambwe have been impressive for Umoja ensuring that their side is victorious. Daniel Lubuste top scored for Stanbic Shields with 10 points while Brian Henrie scored nine.

The two were the only men’s matches played after the battle of the bankers pitting National Bank of Kenya (NBK) Phoenix and Equity Bank Dumas was postponed.

The Women’s Premier League remained unchanged since most of the clubs were not in action.

Former champions KPA are at the summit tied on 23 points with 2015 winners United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Flames.

The two sides have played 12 matches, won 11 and lost one. Strathmore Swords, holders Equity Bank Hawks and Zetech University Sparks are third, fourth and fifth with 19 points apiece.

They have all played 11 matches, won eight and lost three. Stanbic Aces are sixth with 18 points from 12 outings, whereas winless African Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers and Storms lead from the bottom.

In Men’s Division One, Coastal Kings who are facing a relegation threat recovered from Saturday’s 67-70 loss to Snipers to beat Neosasa 70-63 and revive their hopes of escaping demotion.

Jomo Kenya University of Agriculture and Technology Straycats who had also lost 53-88 to Zetech Titans bounced back to edge out MAB 65-62 and enhance their chances of sealing a play-offs slot.