Opong’s last-gasp three-pointer sinks the Thunder

In a game full of firsts, MBB stunned the Nairobi City Thunder 75-74 on Tuesday at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

It was a breathtaking game that could have been the Thunder’s first win. However, they squandered an 18-point lead and remain winless three games into the season.

Meanwhile, MBB recorded their first ever win in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Robinson Opong scored his first three-pointer in the first half and waited until the last three seconds of the game to secure the win for MBB, hitting his second and final three-pointer.

While Opong played the role of rescuer with his game-winning shot, Pieter Prinsloo put on a heroic performance for MBB. He finished with a BAL career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The former Cape Town Tigers power forward spent more time (35:52) on the floor than any other MBB player and shot 11-for-17 from the field, including a career-high 5-for-9 on three-pointers.

Prinsloo recorded the highest efficiency rating of the season, at 35.

Backing up Opong and Prinsloo was Tesfale Lenard Jr., who missed all his three-point attempts but was clinical near the basket, shooting 7-for-11 to finish with 20 points.

Prinsloo’s former teammate, Evans Ganapamo, had his best performance in the conference so far. He shot 6-for-11, including 5-for-6 from deep, to lead the Thunder with 21 points.

MBB power forward Nathi Sibanyoni reflected on the importance of their first win, saying: "This win keeps us alive and gives us hope of returning to South Africa to play. As you can see, everyone in this locker room is happy, even our president is in tears. This win means a lot to us.”

"This is the win we needed to give our fans and families hope that we will qualify for the playoffs. This win makes us stronger, and we hope to keep moving higher.”

The 2025 Nile Conference resumes Thursday with an undefeated Al Ahli Tripoli facing the Nairobi City Thunder, while the MBB goes up against the hosts, the APR.