- Source: Urunani BBC
Urunani BBC is a Burundian basketball club based in Bujumbura. Nicknamed "Sisi Wenyewe", the team plays in the Viva Basketball League (VBL).
Since 1979, Urunani has won more than 17 national championships of Burundi (some years the national championship was not held for several reasons).
History
The name Urunani means "being together, a strong and indestructible network". The club played in the Basketball Championship Amateurs de Bujumbura (ACBAB) for the first time in 1979.
Urunani BBC has already won three international competitions organized by the FIBA Zone 5.
The club also played in the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
At mid-2021, Urunani reached an agreement with the ugandan club, City Oilers to bring back home Landry Ndikumana, and the rwandan club Tigers for Malick Ngenzahayo.
It’s at the end of 2021 that Urunani have completed the signing of Guibert Nijimbere from Patriots.
Ahead of the VBL 2022, the team acquired 5 international players from Uganda (Peter Obleng), South-Sudan (Peter Cheng Maleck), DRC (Michael Bwanga), Kenya (Paul Ereng Ekiru) and Nigeria (Njoku Joseph Chibuzo). With its strengthened roster, Urunani(17 wins/1 loss) managed to become the Burundian Champions and claimed a spot in the 2023 BAL Qualifiers.
The team became the first-ever team from Burundi to win a semi-professional league : the Viva Basketball League in his first edition.
One of the notable players of Urunani, Elvis "Gafyisi" Hakizimana, wore number 8 during 20 seasons. On 24 January 2022, Gafyisi's jersey number was retired at the Terrain Département. On 26 January, Urunani signed Hakizimana as their new assistant coach.
In 2024, they won another national championship after defeating Dynamo in seven games in the finals, behind MVP Jean Jacques Boissy. Urunani hired Pabi Guèye, a former BAL Coach of the Year, to lead the team in the Road to BAL.
Honours
Burundian Basketball Championship
Champions (17+): 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2024
President's Cup
Winners (1+): 2015
Heroes' Cup
Winners (3): 2019, 2021, 2022
Burundian Super Cup
Winners (1): 2020
ACBAB
Champions (3+): 2015, 2016, 2017
FIBA Africa Zone 5 Champions
Winners (3): 2011, 2013, 2014
In African competitions
FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup
2011 – Regular Season
2013 – Regular Season
2014 – Regular Season
Players
= 2022 roster
== Notable players
=Head coaches
Aaron Kagabo
Pabi Guèye: (October 2024–present)
References
External links
Official website
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Urunani BBC
- Jean Jacques Boissy
- 2025 BAL qualification
- Chris Crawford (basketball, born 1992)
- Landry Ndikumana (basketball)
- Burundian Basketball Championship
- Guibert Nijimbere
- Chris Obekpa
- Adonis Filer
- Álvaro Calvo Masa
