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With 18 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), former President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and AACT Trustee for West and Central Africa, Ekanem Ekwueme, has described winning the prestigious continental title as a matter of national pride, urging Nigeria to seize the opportunity of hosting the championship to pursue a historic triumph.
Ekwueme said the AACT goes beyond a conventional golf competition because it brings together players representing their countries in a contest where national honour and continental recognition are at stake.
She noted that winning the trophy would be a significant achievement for any participating nation, its golfers and the wider golf community.
The championship is scheduled to hold from November 2 to 7, 2026 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. Blueprint reports
Nigeria will host the event for the third time, having previously staged it at Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, in 1996 and at the Abuja course in 2010.
A championship beyond individual glory
Ekwueme described the AACT as the “Nations Cup” of women’s golf, explaining that its importance lies in the opportunity it gives players to compete for their countries rather than solely for individual honours.
According to her, representing one’s country at a prestigious continental event is a privilege, while winning the trophy carries a special significance because the achievement becomes part of the nation’s sporting history.
She said the experience of participating in the championship could remain with golfers long after the final round, given the pressure, responsibility and sense of collective purpose associated with competing under a national flag.
For the players, the tournament offers an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities against some of Africa’s finest women golfers. For their countries, it provides a platform to establish their standing in the sport and inspire greater participation in women’s golf.
Ekwueme’s remarks come as preparations continue for the Abuja championship, with the countdown placing increasing attention on the teams expected to challenge for the continental crown.
South Africa, Egypt, Morocco among contenders
The former LGAN president expects the contest for the 2026 title to be fiercely competitive, pointing to the experience and established records of several countries that have performed strongly in previous editions.
South Africa, a regular winner of the championship, is expected to be among the leading contenders as it seeks to maintain its position in African women’s golf.
Egypt and Morocco are also expected to attract attention, having hosted and won the competition in the past. Their achievements demonstrate that countries can combine the responsibility of organising the championship with the ambition of competing successfully for the trophy.
The presence of experienced golf nations is expected to make the task more demanding for Nigeria, which will have to contend with opponents determined to leave Abuja with the title.
However, the competition also presents an opportunity for the host nation to test its players against strong opposition and assess the progress made in developing women’s golf.
The outcome will depend on performances on the course, with each participating country seeking to combine technical ability, consistency and composure across the championship.
Nigeria eyes historic home triumph
For Nigeria, the prospect of winning the trophy in front of a home audience adds another dimension to the preparations.
Ekwueme believes the records of Egypt and Morocco should encourage the Nigerian team to approach the competition with ambition, using the advantage of hosting as motivation to pursue a landmark achievement.
Nigeria’s previous hosting experience provides a foundation for welcoming the continent’s leading women golfers, but winning the title would give the 2026 edition a special place in the country’s sporting history.
The home team will face the challenge of managing expectations while competing against nations with established records in the tournament. Success will require disciplined preparation, strong performances and the ability to remain composed under the pressure associated with representing the host country.
A victory would not only reward the players’ efforts but could also provide a significant boost to women’s golf in Nigeria, strengthening interest in the sport and encouraging more young women to take up the game.
The championship will equally allow Nigerian golfers to demonstrate their abilities before a continental audience and gain experience from competing against players from different golfing backgrounds.
Abuja prepares to welcome Africa
Beyond the contest for the trophy, the AACT is expected to provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its golfing facilities and hospitality while bringing together athletes and officials from across the continent.
The championship creates room for interaction among players who share a passion for golf but represent different countries, helping to strengthen relationships and encourage the exchange of experiences within African women’s golf.
For the host nation, the event also offers a platform to demonstrate its capacity to stage an international sporting competition and support the continued growth of the game.
The IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja will provide the setting for the six-day championship, scheduled to run from November 2 to 7, 2026.
As the countdown continues, participating countries will be looking to complete their preparations, identify their strongest combinations and position themselves for the challenge ahead.
For Nigeria, the task is twofold: deliver a successful championship and compete for the title on home soil. While hosting the event is a notable achievement, lifting the trophy would turn the occasion into a defining moment for the country’s women’s golf movement.
With 19 days remaining, attention is increasingly turning to the players who will carry their countries’ hopes when Africa’s women golfers converge on Abuja.
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