Tanzania steady after first round at EACAACT 2025

KENYA: DEFENDING champions Tanzania remain firmly in contention after the opening round of the East and Central Africa All Africa Challenge Trophy (EACAACT) 2025, finishing third in the team standings.

Tanzania posted a total score of +13 (155), calculated from the two best scores out of three players over the first 18 holes of the 54-hole tournament, which teed off yesterday at the scenic Great Rift Valley Lodge in Kenya.

The three-day biennial event features teams from seven EACAACT member countries.

Despite stiff competition and tricky course conditions, the Tanzanian trio of Neema Olomi, Vicky Elias, and Shufaa Twalib, who was recently promoted from the national Under-18 team, delivered a resilient team effort that keeps them within reach of the leaders: Kenya at +9 (151), and La Réunion at +10 (152).

Tanzania’s standout of the day was team captain Neema Olomi, who carded a composed round of 72 (+1) to finish second in the individual standings—just a shot behind the leader, junior player Melliyal Schmitt of La Réunion.

Olomi showed impressive composure under pressure, staying steady with key pars and a crucial birdie. “It was a tough course with tricky greens, but I stuck to my game plan and focused on each shot,” Olomi said after her round.

“There’s still a lot of golf to play, and we’re ready to push forward as a team.”

Elias, another key player in Tanzania’s title defence, posted an 83 (+12), placing her 13th individually. At the same time, Twalib, making her debut in the senior national team, shot an 85 (+14) to sit in a tie for 14th.

Uganda was fourth with a total of +18 (160), Zambia returned +22 (164) at fifth, while Rwanda, which carded +28 (170), and Madagascar, with +42 (184), started at sixth and seventh, respectively.

With two rounds remaining, the leader board is tightly packed, and Tanzania remains very much in the hunt to retain their regional crown.

The team is hoping to build on their solid start and rely on their experience as the tournament progresses.

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The Tanzanian team is managed by Yasmin Chali, who also serves as the honorary secretary of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU).

The current squad is aiming to defend the title they won at the 2023 edition held at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas in Rwanda.