Madagascar's COSPN has reinforced its roster with Angolan pivot Jorge Filipe and Nigerian guard Ikena Okeke ahead of the Road to BAL 2027 first round, scheduled for 21 to 25 October in Hoima City, Uganda. The Police nationale club departs on 20 October aiming to finish among the top two in its group.
At 2.08 metres, Jorge Filipe previously played for Petro de Luanda in Angola. Okeke, a 2.01-metre Nigerian guard, joins from Naestved in Denmark. According to coach Rasamoelina Tojo, both players fill positions where Malagasy basketball lacks depth, and their arrivals are intended to lift the team against continental opposition.
COSPN will compete in Group D of the East Division against Uganda's Namuwongo Blazers, Burundi's Uranani Basketball Club and South Sudan's Patriots Basketball Club. Ushundzi Basket of Comoros withdrew from the competition. To progress, COSPN must finish in the top two and qualify for the Elite 16 round, set for 17 to 22 November in Kenya, where the strongest team across the pathway will secure a place in the Basketball Africa League 2027.
