By KPC Sports Reporter
Action is underway at VetLab Sports Club as golfers from across Africa and beyond compete for top honours at the Kabete Challenge, the third leg of the 2026/27 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season.
The three-day tournament has attracted a field of 67 players from 10 countries, all vying for a share of the KES 1.5 million prize purse, valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, as well as crucial Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.
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The event has brought together a strong mix of seasoned professionals, emerging talents, amateurs and junior golfers, underlining the Tour’s growing reputation as a key pathway to elite professional golf in Africa.
Leading the Kenyan challenge is Nyali Golf & Country Club’s Daniel Nduva, who arrives in Kabete brimming with confidence after securing his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title at the NCBA Royal Classic earlier this week.
Nduva faces stiff competition from a formidable local contingent that includes John Lejirma, Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, CJ Wangai, Samuel Njoroge, Jastas Madoya, Abraham Galgalo, Nelson Mudanyi and Erick Ooko.
Rwanda’s challenge is spearheaded by season-opening champion Celestin Nsanzuwera, who claimed victory at the first event of the season at Thika Sports Club and currently leads the Tour’s Order of Merit standings. He is joined by compatriots Nsabimana Aloys and Emile Nshimyumuremyi.
Uganda has fielded one of the strongest foreign contingents, led by Abraham Ainamani, who has delivered consistent performances in the opening tournaments of the season. He is accompanied by Gaita Rodell, Philip Kasozi and lady professional Grace Kasango.
West Africa is also strongly represented, with Nigeria fielding Sunday Olapade, who finished joint runner-up at Royal Nairobi, Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School winner Francis Epe, Ajayi Tajudeen, Ideriah Solomon and Eze Monday.
Ghana’s hopes rest on Ezekiel Afisco, while Ivory Coast is represented by Richard Kouame and compatriot Kouassi Jean-Romaric Djezou.
Adding to the tournament’s international appeal are American professionals Andrew Proctor and Gabriel Cruz, England’s Elliot Bradley and Indian junior Mitansh Thacker.
The ladies’ field features Kenya’s Naom Wafula, Joyce Wanjiru and Margaret Njoki, alongside Tanzania’s Angel Eaton, all aiming to make an impact in the strong mixed field.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Tournament Director David Kihara praised the quality of the field and the momentum generated by the Tour in the opening weeks of the season.
“We have had a very exciting start to the season with two highly competitive tournaments at Thika Sports Club and Royal Nairobi Golf Club. The quality of golf has been outstanding, and the fact that we continue to attract players from across Africa and beyond demonstrates the growing stature of the Sunshine Development Tour,” said Kihara.
“VetLab has always produced quality competition, and we expect another exciting week of golf. The race for Order of Merit points is already taking shape, players are chasing world ranking opportunities, and everyone understands how important every tournament is in the journey towards Sunshine Tour progression. We look forward to another great event.”
The Kabete Challenge follows a fiercely contested NCBA Royal Classic, where Nduva produced a remarkable back-nine comeback to clinch his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title.
Earlier in the season, Rwanda’s Nsanzuwera emerged victorious in the opening event at Thika Sports Club, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a tightly contested race for honours as the Tour continues its journey across the East African region.
