Senegal internationals Cheikh Bamba Diallo and Makhtar Gueye have helped Urunani BBC and the Namuwongo Blazers secure places in the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL 2027. The clubs qualified from Group D of the Eastern Division at a tournament in Hoima, Uganda.
Urunani completed the group stage unbeaten, with Diallo featuring in all four victories. The guard scored 12 points against COSPN of Madagascar and 24 against Patriots Basketball Club of South Sudan. His best performance came against Ushundzi Basket, with 27 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists in a 117-58 win. He added 14 points as Urunani defeated the Namuwongo Blazers 81-79 on Sunday.
Gueye played a leading role for the Ugandan side. He recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against Ushundzi Basket, then 15 points and 5 rebounds against COSPN. In a decisive 85-81 overtime victory over the Patriots, he contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds. He scored 10 points in the final defeat to Urunani.
The Namuwongo Blazers finished the group with three wins and one defeat, enough to finish among the top two. Both teams now face the Elite 16, with the aim of reaching the final phase of the Basketball Africa League.
