Abuja bronze fuels TLGU’s gold ambition

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S rise to third place at the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in Abuja, Nigeria over the weekend has given ladies’ golf a renewed sense of ambition, with the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) now setting sights on winning the continental title in 2028.

The achievement represents a significant step forward for Tanzania that improved from fifth position at the 2024 championship in Morocco to finish among Africa’s top three in Abuja, ahead of hosts Nigeria.

Tanzania carded an aggregate 479 strokes to finish third among 19 participating nations, securing a place on the podium at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

South Africa claimed the continental title with 464 strokes, while Kenya finished runners-up on 470, leaving Tanzania third, just 15-stroke behind the champions.

Hosts Nigeria finished fourth with 500 strokes, followed by Uganda (504), Zambia (506), Botswana (510), Zimbabwe (521), Ghana and Rwanda (526 each), Tunisia (527), Gabon (542), Mauritius (556), Namibia (568), Malawi (574), Eswatini and Senegal (575 each), Cameroon (583), while Togo finished last with 628 strokes.

For the TLGU, President Timea Chogo, the result is not only a source of national pride but also evidence that Tanzanian ladies golfers have the ability to compete against the continent’s strongest teams.

Speaking after the tournament, the president described the bronze-medal finish as a remarkable achievement built on discipline, determination and teamwork.

“I’m incredibly proud, as president and as a Tanzanian. We moved up from fifth at the last AACT to third in Africa,” she said.

She particularly praised the consistency of Tanzania’s three-player team, Captain Madina Iddi (Hussein), Neema Olomi and Hawa Wanyeche, who all finished among the individual top eight.

According to the president, their performances demonstrated the strength and competitive spirit of the national team, with each player fighting until the final putt despite the demanding conditions.

“On a tough course and against the strongest teams on the continent, they battled hole by hole, round after round, right to the very last putt. Every shot they played carried the hopes of our nation, and they carried that responsibility with courage, grace and pride. Tanzania salutes you,” she said.

She dedicated the achievement to the three golfers, their families, supporters and Tanzanians who followed the team’s journey to Abuja.

The president also expressed gratitude to the public for its prayers, messages and encouragement, saying the support had played an important role in motivating the players throughout the competition.

“Our flag flew high in Abuja, and we will keep raising it higher,” she declared.

Adapting to challenging conditions

Despite the impressive result, the road to the podium was not without challenges.

The president identified the condition of the IBB Golf and Country Club course as the team’s biggest challenge, explaining that the playing conditions were significantly different from those the golfers were accustomed to in Tanzania.

The players therefore had to adjust their strategies quickly as the competition progressed.

She credited TLGU VicePresident Ayne Magombe, who served as team manager, for playing a crucial role in helping the players navigate the difficult conditions.

Magombe worked closely with the golfers throughout the tournament, helping them adjust their game plans, remain composed under pressure and maintain their focus from one round to another.

“Every team played the same course, but adapting fast away from home is never easy. With that support behind them, our players handled it with real patience and maturity. Her leadership as team manager was central to the team’s success in Abuja,” the president said.

Tanzania also faced stiff competition from established golfing nations South Africa and Kenya, whose programmes benefit from extensive resources and greater international exposure.

However, the president believes Tanzania’s performance has demonstrated that the country can challenge the continent’s traditional powerhouses.

She pointed to Tanzania’s previous achievements at the championship, particularly the 2018 edition in Ghana, where the country finished second overall and Madina Iddi claimed the individual title.

After slipping to fifth place in Morocco in 2024, Tanzania’s return to the podium in Abuja, finishing just nine shots behind Kenya, has reinforced the team’s belief that an overall championship victory is within reach.

“We have shown we can fight with the very best. The next step is no longer just closing the gap. We are chasing the number one spot and an AACT title for Tanzania, which would be a historic achievement for our country,” she said.

Building towards South Africa 2028

With the next AACT scheduled for South Africa in 2028, TLGU is already looking beyond its Abuja success and preparing a long-term strategy to turn its bronze-medal achievement into a continental championship.

The president said the twoyear period provides an important opportunity to strengthen the country’s talent base, improve players’ competitive experience and establish a more sustainable national team development programme.

Before the next AACT, Tanzania will have another important assignment at the East and Central Africa Challenge Trophy in Madagascar, scheduled for the last quarter of 2027.

The regional competition is expected to provide valuable international exposure and serve as an important preparation platform for the bigger challenge in South Africa.

One of TLGU’s main priorities will be developing a stronger junior golf programme, particularly by encouraging more young Tanzanian girls to take up the sport and progress into competitive golf.

The union wants to have a larger pool of talented young players ready to represent the country by 2028, ensuring that the success achieved by the current national team becomes the foundation for future generations.

“We are also introducing an Order of Merit, so national team selection rewards consistent performance, and we’ll push for more international exposure for our players,” the president explained.

She also stressed the importance of increased financial and institutional support, acknowledging the government’s contribution through the National Sports Counci (NSC).

The president called on the government and corporate Tanzania to increase investment in golf, particularly in women’s and junior development.

“Abuja has shown what our women can achieve. We now urge the government through NSC, alongside corporate Tanzania, to invest more in golf, especially in developing women and juniors in the sport. With greater investment, we can turn podium finishes into championship titles,” she said.

Sponsors and supporters acknowledged

The TLGU president also recognised the contribution of corporate partners and golf stakeholders who supported the national team’s preparations and participation in Abuja.

She specifically thanked Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), CRDB Bank, Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL), Kago Africa Limited, Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) and Sahel for supporting the team’s Road to Abuja campaign.

She extended her appreciation to members of the TLGU Executive Committee and the wider union family, noting that their work behind the scenes, including fundraising, logistics and team preparations, had been instrumental in making the trip possible.

“Championships are won long before the first tee. Our preparations for South Africa 2028 start now, so that Tanzania arrives ready not just to compete, but to win,” she said.

Lessons from Abuja

eflecting on her first-ever AACT experience, the president said the biggest lesson was that Tanzanian women’s golf has the potential to compete with the best on the continent.

The improvement from fifth place in 2024 to third in 2026 has strengthened her conviction that the country is moving in the right direction.

However, she acknowledged that reaching the top requires consistent investment, long-term preparation and greater international exposure.

She also highlighted the importance of collaboration among the players, the golf union, government and private-sector partners, saying the Abuja experience had demonstrated what could be achieved when all stakeholders work towards a common goal.