COSPN in Group D for Road to BAL 2027 East Division in Uganda

Madagascar’s national basketball champions, the Club omnisport de la Police nationale (COSPN), have learned their path to the continent’s club competition, drawing an assignment in Group D of the Road to BAL 2027 East Division, L’Express de Madagascar reported.

Hoima Draw Sets Up High-Stakes Continental Campaign

The draw places the Malgache champions in Group D, set to be contested in Hoima, Uganda, from October 21 to 25. COSPN secured their spot in the preliminary phase after capturing the national championship for the second year. To advance past the group stage, the team must finish among the top two spots in a five-team pool to secure a berth in the Elite 16 round scheduled for Nairobi from November 17 to 22.

Tough Opponents Await in Group D

COSPN faces a schedule against a mix of regional competitors and tournament hosts. The group features Urunani of Burundi, the Patriots Basketball Club of South Sudan, the host nation’s Namuwongo Blazers, and Ushundzi Basket of the Comores, whom COSPN previously defeated 87-52 in 2023.

Club president Samy Olivier Harison acknowledged the difficulty of the assignment. The COSPN finds itself in a very tough Group D, Harison stated, adding that the club plans to recruit at least two foreign reinforcements to bolster its roster against high-level competition.

Urunani enters as one of the most experienced adversaries with regular participation in the Road to BAL, requiring the Malgache squad to prepare for physical and intense basketball. Meanwhile, tournament hosts Namuwongo Blazers compete for the second year and will benefit from the local environment. South Sudan’s Patriots Basketball Club has made significant progress through a style emphasizing fast-paced play and physical intensity, while Ushundzi Basket of the Comores represents a less familiar opponent on paper within reach.

COSPN Balances Continental Campaign with Domestic Commitments

Club head coach Tojo Hery Rasamoelina noted that the team prepared for a dual objective, explaining, New players like Hasina, Stanley, Gerardo or Franky have joined the group, because we are banking on the next generation.

Historical precedent offers some measure of encouragement for the Malgache side. During the 2023 qualifiers, COSPN advanced to the Elite 16 after an undefeated run through the preliminary phase, leaning on performances from players such as Elly Randriamampionona, Livio Ratianarivo, and Rashawn Langston. However, the current squad must play a compressed four-game schedule in five days, placing a premium on roster depth, physical recovery, and execution in late-game situations.

Group D East Division Schedule

Matches in Hoima run from October 21 to 25:

• COSPN (Madagascar)
• Urunani (Burundi)
• Patriots Basketball Club (South Sudan)
• Namuwongo Blazers (Uganda)
• Ushundzi Basket (Comores)

Road to BAL Division Est Matches Begin October 21

COSPN opens its tournament schedule in Hoima on October 21, facing a four-match group slate that runs through October 25. The top two finishers from the group advance directly to the Elite 16 in Nairobi, which takes place from November 17 to 22.