Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) Chairman Gilman Kasiga has challenged the national women’s golf team to shine in Abuja, Nigeria, and return home with the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) as the players departed for the continental championship.
Kasiga, who saw off the team at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, described the squad as strong and complete, expressing confidence that Tanzania has the quality to win its first continental title.
‘Today is a good day as our golf team travels. The squad is complete, and I am confident they will return with victory. We have a very good team, and I believe our ladies will make us proud.
Only winning the trophy is required at home,’ he said. He also thanked individuals and institutions whose contributions made the team’s participation possible, acknowledging their support in facilitating Tanzania’s campaign. The 2026 AACT will take place from November 4-6 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, featuring approximately 20 African nations.
Tanzania will field a three-player team comprising captain Madina Hussein, Hawa Wanyeche and Neema Olomi, with Ayne Magombe serving as team manager.
Beyond the main championship, other Tanzanian golfers will participate in accompanying competitions. Aalaa Somji, Loveness Mungure, Chiku Elias and Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) President Timea Chogo will compete in the Supporters Tournament on November 3 before taking part in the Nigeria Ladies Open scheduled for November 8-10.
Magombe will compete in the Nigeria Ladies Open only, while Madina, Hawa and Neema will focus on the AACT championship.
Tanzania are targeting their maiden continental crown after finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2018.
The country placed fifth at the 2024 edition in Morocco, where hosts emerged champions.
Meanwhile, Chogo has thanked the National Sports Council (NSC), CRDB Bank, Kago Logistics, Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL), Saher, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), TGU and individual well-wishers for supporting the team’s campaign. She said the contributions had been instrumental in facilitating the team’s participation, particularly in meeting the demands associated with international travel and competition.
The championship is expected to attract a strong field comprising hosts Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mauritius, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Gabon, Senegal and Togo.