Defending champions South Africa made a strong start to their title defence at the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), taking the early lead after the opening round at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

South Africa carded a combined gross score of 154 strokes to establish a four-shot advantage over Kenya, who finished the opening round on 158.

Tanzania occupied third position with 160 strokes, followed by Uganda in fourth on 163, while hosts Nigeria ended the opening round in fifth position with 166 strokes.

Zambia were sixth on 167, with Botswana seventh on 170. Ghana finished eighth on 172, while Zimbabwe and Tunisia completed the top 10 on 174 and 176 strokes respectively.  

South Africa’s opening-round total was built around the performances of Isabella Ferreira and Lourenda Steyn, whose scores counted towards the team total.

Ferreira emerged as the individual leader after carding a four-over-par 76, while Steyn returned a six-over-par 78 to finish joint third.

Kenya’s Kanana Muthomi was second individually after shooting 77, while Uganda’s Keisha Kagoro also carded 78 to share third position with Steyn.

Botswana’s Loapi Chokwe was fifth on 79, while Tanzania’s Neema Olomi and Madina Iddy shared sixth on 80. Kenya’s Bianca Ncegu and Kellie Gachaga were tied for eighth on 81.

Nigeria’s Juliana Ehinomhen was among the leading players after returning an 82, putting her in a tie for 10th position alongside Tanzania’s Hawa Wanyeche and Tunisia’s Israa Bouamor.  

The Nigerian team will now seek to close the gap on the leaders when the second round gets underway, with the hosts facing a four-shot deficit to Uganda in fourth and eight strokes separating them from Kenya in second.

The AACT features national teams from across the continent competing over three championship rounds, with the competitive programme running from November 4 to 6 at the Abuja course.  

Nigeria’s First Lady and Grand Patron of AACT 2026, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, performed the ceremonial tee-off on Tuesday, November 3, officially opening the championship.

The First Lady had earlier described Nigeria’s hosting of the competition for the third time as a reflection of the confidence of the African golfing community in the country’s capacity, while urging the participating golfers to compete with passion, integrity and sportsmanship.  

With three rounds deciding the continental champions, South Africa will enter Day Two seeking to consolidate its lead, while Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and hosts Nigeria remain firmly in contention as the battle for the AACT title intensifies.