Fataki Nyembo scored 23 points as Nam Blazers beat COSPN 99–56 in Hoima. Read the statistics, key moments, and Road to BAL qualification outlook.
Fataki Nyembo delivered 23 points and eight rebounds as Namuwongo Blazers beat Madagascar’s COSPN 99–56 at Hoima City Arena on Thursday.
The victory maintained the Ugandan champions’ unbeaten start to their Road to BAL campaign, following Wednesday’s commanding win over Ushindzi.
However, the final margin concealed a more competitive opening. Namuwongo led by only one point after the first quarter and eight at halftime before transforming the contest through stronger defence.
For Ugandan supporters, Nyembo supplied the highlights, but the team’s response after the break provided the clearest reason for encouragement.
A Tight Start Before Namuwongo Pull Away
Kawowo’s match report describes COSPN opening the scoring before Namuwongo responded with a 13–0 run.
That early burst did not immediately produce sustained control. Defensive lapses allowed the visitors to remain involved, leaving the hosts narrowly ahead at 20–19 after the opening quarter.
Namuwongo improved during the second period and reached halftime leading 43–35.
The scoreline still demanded concentration. COSPN had remained close enough to threaten, and the Blazers needed to make their defensive improvement last.
The decisive response came after the interval, when the hosts combined tighter resistance with sustained scoring.
Quarter-by-Quarter Statistics
Namuwongo won every quarter, with the third period producing the most significant separation.
| Period | Nam Blazers | COSPN |
| First quarter | 20 | 19 |
| Second quarter | 23 | 16 |
| Third quarter | 28 | 8 |
| Fourth quarter | 28 | 13 |
| Final score | 99 | 56 |
The quarter scores show Namuwongo outscoring COSPN 56–21 after halftime.
That second-half margin explains how an eight-point advantage became a 43-point victory. The Blazers restricted the visitors while continuing to find productive attacks themselves.
It was the kind of response that matters when an opening spell falls short of expectations.
Nyembo Combines Scoring With Efficiency
Nyembo’s influence extended beyond the size of his points total.
FIBA’s player record lists nine successful field goals from 13 attempts, including eight baskets from 11 two-point attempts.
He also converted four of five free throws, collected four offensive rebounds and four defensive rebounds, and registered two steals without committing a turnover.
| Nyembo’s statistic | Against COSPN |
| Points | 23 |
| Rebounds | 8 |
| Field goals | 9/13 |
| Field-goal accuracy | 69.2% |
| Free throws | 4/5 |
| Steals | 2 |
| Turnovers | 0 |
Those numbers describe a productive performance with limited wasted possession. His rebounding also helped Namuwongo contest opportunities beyond the initial shot.
Supporting Contributions Strengthen the Win
Makhtar Gueye added 15 points, and Peter Obleng contributed 11, giving Nyembo support in the scoring effort.
Gueye’s FIBA record also shows five rebounds and two assists against COSPN.
The distribution matters. A team relying entirely on one scorer becomes easier to prepare against, whereas several contributors force opponents to defend different threats.
Obleng had led the scoring in the opening game. Against COSPN, Nyembo assumed that role while teammates continued contributing.
For coach Luis Lopez Hernandez, changing scoring leaders offers encouragement about the options available across his rotation.
Defence Changes the Contest
Restricting COSPN to eight third-quarter points provided the platform for Namuwongo’s decisive push.
The lesson is about connected play rather than simply greater effort. Limiting easy opportunities allows a team to spend less time recovering from defensive mistakes and more time organising its next attack.
Namuwongo’s second-half scoring also ensured the defensive work produced a clear reward.
The challenge is making that standard available earlier in matches. Stronger opponents may punish an uneven opening more severely, leaving less room to recover.
Thursday’s improvement was valuable, but the opening quarter still provides material for review.
A comfortable final score should reinforce useful habits without disguising the periods that still need correction.
Two Wins Build on Improved Preparation
Namuwongo began the tournament by beating Ushindzi 109–45, establishing an encouraging platform before facing COSPN.
FIBA’s opening-game review described Lopez testing different defensive schemes, including pressure and zone approaches.
Our earlier report on Nam Blazers’ squad preparations explored the importance of coaching, depth and cohesion before the Hoima tournament.
The first two results suggest promising progress, although the remaining fixtures will provide different examinations.
Across those victories, Namuwongo have scored 208 points and conceded 101. That combined margin reflects dominance, but qualification requires maintaining standards against the rest of the group.
What the Result Means for Qualification
The Hoima competition forms part of the Road to BAL 2027, despite taking place in October 2026.
Five clubs are competing for two places in the East Division Elite 16. Namuwongo’s two victories strengthen their position without completing the qualification process.
Our Road to BAL Group D guide explains the pathway and opposition.
Patriots of South Sudan and Burundi’s Urunani remain important assignments in the hosts’ schedule.
The priority is to keep control of their own campaign through further wins, rather than assume the opening margins will settle the group.
What It Means for Ugandan Supporters
Hoima is giving local supporters access to continental basketball while taking a major club event beyond Kampala.
The Uganda Media Centre identified that wider reach as an important reason for hosting the tournament.
For supporters in Bunyoro, the opportunity extends beyond celebrating results. Watching Nyembo’s movement, rebounding and finishing offers practical lessons for developing players.
Fans following from Kampala, Jinja, Gulu and Mbarara can also assess how Uganda’s champions respond when opponents resist.
Thursday supplied both sides of that assessment: an uncomfortable opening and a convincing recovery built on a stronger collective performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score?
Namuwongo Blazers beat COSPN 99–56.
How many points did Nyembo score?
He scored 23 points and collected eight rebounds.
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Verdict
Nyembo delivered the standout individual performance, while Namuwongo’s second-half defence supplied the foundation for another emphatic win. Uganda’s champions have made an encouraging start in Hoima. Their next task is carrying that concentration into tougher stretches and turning early momentum into qualification.
