Patriots Basketball Club head coach Sunny Niyomugabo has joined Burundian champions Urunani BBC as assistant coach ahead of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2027 qualifiers.

Urunani are trying to reinforce both their technical bench and players' squad ahead of the qualifiers which will see them tussle it out with top clubs across the continent.

The 2027 BAL qualifiers (East Division, Group D) are scheduled for October 23–26, 2026, in Hoima City Arena, Uganda.

Niyomugabo joins Urunani after a very strong season with Patriots in Rwanda, a notable stint with the U-18 national team, and international experience with RSSB Tigers BBC at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

The 35-year-old was crowned coach of the year for the 2026 Rwanda Basketball League season after leading the Patriots deep into the finals.

He has served on the coaching staff for Rwanda's national basketball team during FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

At Urunani, he will be coaching alongside head coach, Elvis Hakizimana "Gafyisi."

Urunani also added American point guard Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs and Rwanda Basketball League MVP Kennedy Chingka Garba both of whom were playing for Patriots under Niyomugabo.