Urunani overpower COSPN to open Road to BAL campaign

• Urunani 93–69 COSPN

Urunani made a commanding start to their 2026 Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign with a 93–69 victory over Madagascar’s COSPN at Hoima City Arena on Wednesday.

Mahamane Coulibaly led the Burundian side with 21 points as Urunani built a 35-point halftime advantage before holding off a second-half fightback.

Urunani dominated from the opening quarter, racing to a 26–8 lead before stretching the margin to 56–21 at halftime.

Their lead reached 40 points at 63–23 in the third quarter, underlining their superiority in the opening stages.

Coulibaly shot eight of 12 from the field and converted all five free throws, adding five assists to his scoring contribution.

Chingka Kennedy Garba posted 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs contributed 17 points and eight assists. Bamba Diallo and Yves Nsengiyumva added 12 points each, with captain Romis Bujeje pulling down 16 rebounds.

Urunani’s pace proved difficult for COSPN to contain, with the Burundians scoring 26 fast-break points and 42 in the paint.

However, COSPN showed greater resistance after the break, winning the third quarter 22–13 before edging the fourth 26–24.

Ikenna Kenechukwu Okeke led COSPN with 20 points, while Hasina Rasolonandrianina recorded an impressive double-double of 17 points and 20 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards. Captain Livio Ratianarivo added 11 points.

Despite the improved second-half display, COSPN struggled with their shooting, making just 26 of 79 field-goal attempts.

The victory gives Urunani an early boost in their quest for one of two East Division Elite 16 qualification slots available in the five-team Hoima group.

The competition also features hosts Namuwongo Blazers and South Sudan’s Patriots, alongside COSPN and Ushindzi de Ouani.

COSPN will seek a response when they face Namuwongo Blazers on Thursday. The Ugandan side opened their campaign with a dominant 109–45 win over Ushindzi.

The top two teams in Hoima will advance to the East Division Elite 16, where places at the 2027 BAL will be at stake.

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