Can Thunder, APR bounce back on Marei’s debut day?

Gameday 5 of the 2025 Nile Conference is all about a decisive doubleheader.

The race for the last automatic playoff berth will be the highlight of the next four games at the BK Arena in Kigali.

Al Ahli Tripoli became the first team from the conference to qualify for the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) postseason, while hosts APR, MBB, and Nairobi City Thunder will make their final attempts to reach Pretoria, the site of the 2025 BAL playoffs.

In Saturday's opening game, Nairobi City Thunder will pursue their first victory in five games against MBB. They previously defeated MBB 102-59 in the Road to BAL qualifiers last November but lost to them by one point (75-74) in the final seconds earlier this week.

Everyone is wondering whether APR can avoid a three-game losing streak when they face the high-flying Al Ahli Tripoli, a team showing no signs of slowing down.

“We don’t want to relax. We want to continue focused. We are trying to go to the finals with the best lineup,” said Al Ahli Tripoli head coach Fouad Abou Chacra.

A Nairobi City Thunder win over MBB would revive their chances of entering the playoff race.

"Our goal is to make history by becoming the first Kenyan club to win a game in the BAL. That’s our goal for this weekend. We just have to keep improving and sticking together. Overall, our players are still committed to each other. We want to play with pride in these last two games and try to win one,” said City Thunder head coach Brad Ibs.

If MBB beats the Thunder, the South African champions will improve to 3–2, a record that would put them in the running for a postseason slot.

APR must win against Tripoli to improve to 3-2 and stay in the playoff race, avoiding dependence on other teams' results.

2025 Nile Conference rankings ahead of gameday 5:

- Al Ahli Tripoli (4-0)
- APR (2-2)
- MBB (2-2)
- Nairobi City Thunder (0-4)

Marei set to make his debut with Al-Ahli Tripoli

On Friday, May 23, Egyptian international player Assem Marei joined Al Ahli Tripoli after helping Shangwon LG Sakers win the South Korean league title the previous week.

Known for his rebounding ability, the 32-year-old Marei has made a name for himself in African basketball over the last decade and a half as one of Egypt’s centerpieces.

At 21 years old, he was named to the 2013 AfroBasket All-Tournament Team after helping Egypt finish second in the tournament held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Whatever the outcome of gameday 5, Al Ahli Tripoli will remain top of the 2025 Nile Conference.