Nigeria has been selected to host the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), a premier biennial women’s golf championship that attracts top golfers from across the continent. The country, which previously hosted the tournament in 1996 and 2010, emerged victorious in a competitive bidding process during the 16th AACT in Morocco.
Evelyn Oyome, President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), led the delegation that secured the bid. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Oyome revealed that Nigeria gained the majority of votes from 20 participating nations.
“Out of 38 registered countries, 20 advanced to the finals, and Nigeria received the lion’s share of votes, securing the hosting rights for 2026,” she said.
Oyome attributed the success to Nigeria’s hosting of the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October 2023 at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort, Lagos. “That event showcased our world-class facilities and organizational prowess, which gave us a significant advantage over other bidders,” she explained.
The 2026 AACT will take place in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with at least 30 countries expected to participate. Oyome described the event as an opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s global reputation in golf and promote tourism. “The AACT is as significant to golf as the Africa Cup of Nations is to football,” she noted.
Morocco Wins 16th AACT Title
The 16th AACT, held from November 28 to 30, 2023, at Golf de Tazegzout in Agadir, Morocco, marked the country’s debut as host. The Moroccan team triumphed with a score of -7, edging out South Africa (-5) and Kenya (+7) to win their first-ever AACT title.
Morocco’s victorious team comprised Sofia Cherif Essakali, Rim Imni, Nadia Sanz Ouezzani, and captain Raja Hasnaoui. Despite their 14 previous wins, South Africa settled for second place, marking a shift in dominance at the championship.
Nigerian Team Reflects on Performance
The Nigerian team, represented by Evelyn Oyome, Nnenna Ahube, and Pearl Omaruaye, finished in 12th place overall but ranked first among West African nations. Ahube, who made her debut at the tournament, described the experience as enlightening but challenging.
“It was my first time at the AACT, and while it was a great experience, we faced challenges due to limited preparation time,” she said.
Ahube noted that some teams, like South Africa, arrived weeks in advance to train, whereas the Nigerian team had just one day of practice before the competition. She emphasized the importance of early preparation and sponsorship to improve future performances.
“With timely training, talent identification, and adequate sponsorship, we can achieve much better results,” she added, expressing gratitude to supporters, including Oyome and the Bonny Island Golf Club.
The All Africa Challenge Trophy continues to be a cornerstone event for women’s golf in Africa, fostering competition and advancing the sport across the continent.
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