By KPC Sports Reporter

Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade fired one of the best rounds of the day to seize control of the NCBA Royal Classic after the second round at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, setting up a thrilling finale in the second leg of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season.

Olapade carded an impressive 5-under-par 67 to move to 4-under-par 140 overall, taking a one-shot lead into Tuesday’s final round.

The Nigerian professional produced a composed display highlighted by birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 11th, 14th, 16th and 18th holes.

His only setbacks came on the opening hole and the 12th, where he dropped shots, but otherwise maintained control throughout the day.

“I played some really good golf today and managed to stay patient throughout the round,” said Olapade.

“I gave myself opportunities and converted a number of them, especially on the back nine. There is still one more round to play and my focus is on staying disciplined and finishing strongly.”

Just one shot behind the leader are Adel Balala and Daniel Nduva, who share second place on 3-under-par 141.

Balala, the overnight leader from Nyali Golf & Country Club, endured a difficult day but showed remarkable resilience to remain firmly in contention.

The amateur struggled on the front nine, dropping shots on the fifth and eighth holes and recording a double bogey on the seventh.

However, he mounted a spirited comeback on the back nine, sinking birdies on the 14th and 16th holes before producing an eagle on the par-five 15th.

Further bogeys on the 11th, 12th and 18th holes saw him sign for a 3-over-par 75.

“It was definitely a tougher day than yesterday,” said Balala.

“I didn’t play my best golf, especially on the front nine, but I’m happy that I stayed patient and kept fighting. Being tied on second heading into the final day is still a good position, and my focus now is on resetting and giving myself a chance tomorrow.”

Nduva also faced a challenging round. The Nyali Golf & Country Club professional opened with consecutive bogeys on the first and second holes before bouncing back with birdies on the third, fourth and fifth.

Additional dropped shots on the eighth, 11th and 16th holes resulted in a 2-over-par 74, leaving him just one shot off the pace.

“It wasn’t my cleanest round, but I am pleased with the way I stayed in the fight,” Nduva said.

“The conditions were tougher today and there were moments where I had to dig deep.

The birdies early in the round helped settle me down after the slow start. Tomorrow is a new day and I am looking forward to the challenge of competing for the title.”

Muthaiga Golf Club’s Nelson Mudanyi and Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko are tied for fourth place on 2-under-par 142, ensuring both Kenya and Nigeria remain strongly represented among the leading contenders.

A further shot back, Greg Snow of Muthaiga Golf Club and Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel occupy sixth place on 1-under-par 143 heading into the final round.

With only two shots separating the top five players, the battle for the NCBA Royal Classic title remains wide open.

A total of 30 players and ties made the cut and will compete in the final round for a share of the KES 2 million prize purse, with the winner set to take home KES 400,000.

Also at stake are valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.

Among the international players advancing to the final round are Nigeria’s Francis Epe, Kamalu Bako, Godwin Okoko and Sunday Olapade; Uganda’s Abraham Ainamani, Grace Kasango, Gaita Rodell Tadeo and Marvin Kibirige; Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel; Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera; and England’s Elliot Bradley.

With the leaderboard tightly packed and several contenders within striking distance, an exciting finish is expected when the tournament concludes on Tuesday at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.