Muigua eyes repeat as NCBA Malindi Open ‘Vasco da Gama Cup’ tees off

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 11 – Defending champion Elvis Muigua will be among the leading contenders as the NCBA Malindi Open ‘Vasco Da Gama Cup’ gets underway on Friday, September 11, seeking to retain the title at Malindi Golf Club.

The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club golfer produced a strong final round last weekend to win the 2026 NCBA Railway Invitation, carding a three-round total of 217, 1-over par, to claim his second KAGC title of the season after previously winning the fourth edition of the NCBA Ronald Marshall and Toby Gibson Tournament at Njoro Golf Club in Nakuru County in May and thus will head to Malindi with his head high.

The three-day tournament, running through Sunday, September 13, will bring together a strong field of golfers competing for ranking points as well as a share of the Sh550,000 prize purse, with Muigua facing several familiar challengers, including last year’s runner-up Ebill Omollo. ipl-cricket.in

Muigua claimed the Malindi title in dramatic fashion last year after a three-hole playoff against Omollo and Michael Karanga, with all three players having finished the regulation rounds on nine-over-par 219.

The defending champion will be looking to draw on that experience as he begins his title defence, although the field includes several players capable of mounting a challenge.

The other entrants include John Kamaisi of Nakuru Golf Club, Joseph Olwali of Karen Country Club, Josphat Rono of Golf Park Golf Club, Alex Mwangi of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Wesley Kibet of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, and Dickson Wekesa, Odek William and Gathogo Kaguta of Nyali Golf & Country Club.

Naomi Kikulu of Nyali Golf & Country Club leads the list of ladies set to take part in Malindi alongside clubmate Janet Ouma, Christine Kinyeru of Mombasa Golf Club, and home player Kate Mwikali.

With Muigua returning as champion, all eyes will be on whether he can once again hold his nerve when the tournament reaches its decisive stages on Sunday.

Kenya Golf Union Chairman Brian Akun said: “The NCBA Malindi Open is an important tournament on the KAGC calendar and provides a competitive platform for golfers to test themselves. We expect an exciting contest this weekend with so much at stake, particularly defending champion Elvis Muigua returning to Malindi. His victory last year came after a closely fought playoff, and we expect nothing short of such competition this weekend. We also appreciate NCBA’s continued commitment to growing the game at all levels.”

The opening round tees off on Friday, with the competition continuing through the weekend before the champion is crowned on Sunday.

At the same time, juniors will be in action on Sunday, September 13, when Muthaiga Golf Club hosts the fourth leg of the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Fall Local Tour – Nairobi.

The tournament will bring together boys and girls aged between five and 18 years, competing in age-based divisions aimed at giving them competitive experience while supporting their development in the sport.

The programme is organised in partnership with U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya, with support from NCBA.

The young golfers will also compete for Priority Status points, which can earn them qualification opportunities for U.S. Kids Golf international events, including the Regional Invitational and U.S. Kids Golf Regional Championship.

NCBA Malindi Open ‘Vasco Da Gama Cup’ Tee Times

1: 07:30 F. Obonyo, K. Dennis; 07:39 C. Chai, M. Shauri, J. Olwali; 07:48 T. Ole Kina, J. Ouma, J. Kamaisi; 07:57 J. Mramba, G. Barasa, A. Mwangi; 08:06 K. Charo, E. Muigua, J. Ndichu; 08:15 I. Ndichu, E. Omollo, F. Dau; 08:24 H. Kipkorir, C. Otieno, I. Makokha; 08:33 C. Kinyeru, D. Wekesa, N. Nderitu; 08:42 K. Choyo, J. Sulubu, E. Limo; 08:51 P. Katana, A. Abdullah, A. Clinton; 11:30 D. Chai, J. Kinuthia; 11:39 D. Barasa, A. Bozzolasco, G. Karioki; 11:48 K. Anyien, K. Charo, J. Michael; 11:57 J. Koina, R. Leming’Ani, K. Mwikali; 12:06 A. Odongo, F. Kenga, S. Etaan; 12:15 W. Kibet, O. William, M. Chege; 12:24 J. Rono, G. Kaguta, N. Kikulu; 12:33 F. Bukwo, H. Langat, W. Michael; 12:42 S. Orinda, C. Johana, C. Otieno

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 11, 2026 – Having lost to Egyptian giants Pyramids FC on home soil, rebuilding his players’ tattered self-belief has been the main task for Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor.

The Ghanaian reveals that the players’ mental fortitude took a beating from that 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the first preliminary round of the Caf Champions League at Nyayo Stadium.

Ahead of their return leg in Cairo this weekend, Akonnor says there is a aura of optimism within the squad, never mind the complicated task at hand.

“We’ve dwelt a lot on that, to encourage the boys and also to believe in themselves. It doesn’t look good that we’ll go and win, but you never know. It’s all about the determination of the players and their mindset and how ready they are,” the gaffer said.

The former Ghana national team boss is further impressed by how his players have bounced back from the disappointing result on Sunday, noting the high levels of energy and enthusiasm exhibited in training.

“The training has been very good…very impressive. We saw the seriousness of these boys and the cohesion we have made…the things we want to do in the return leg. We put into practice and it was very exciting and encouraging,” Akonnor explained.

It is why the former Wolfsburg player insists that the outcome of the tie is not a forgone conclusion.

A huge upset in continental football could be on the books should they transfer the same spirit to the pitch, come Sunday night.

“Hopefully, this time around, there will be less mistakes and we’ll do well in terms of how we control the midfield, in terms of the pressing, counter-press and all those. If we do those things very good, there’s always a chance for us,” Akonnor said.

Even as he radiates confidence, Akonnor and Co are alive to the threat posed by the African moneybags who — like a leopard — have proven quick to pounce on any lapses in concentration to punish their opponents.

Add to the fact that they are yet to lose a match this season, K’Ogalo have a ‘mission impossible’ on their hands in Cairo.

” I mean, they are a team that if you allow them to play very smart, they can outsmart you in a lot of areas. You know how the movement of the players, of the attacking line, faking one side, going. It’s all about also our intelligence and how ready we are,” Akonnor said.

Good to know that the Kenyan champions have covered all the bases and checked all the boxes required to outsmart their opponents.

However, that is only half of the story, as they still have to execute their plan on the pitch.

This is easier said than done especially when playing away in North Africa, in a sold-out stadium full of partisan fans jeering your every touch of the ball while rousing their team to victory.

The world No 1 ranking will again be up for grabs when the Springboks and All Blacks clash in the fourth Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The world champions surrendered top spot after losing the series opener at Ellis Park, before regaining and then retaining it with wins at Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium.

The Boks currently hold a 2.43-point lead over the All Blacks and will extend it to 3.94 with a win by between one and 15 points at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, or to 4.70 with a victory by 16 points or more.

An All Blacks win by any margin would see them return to No 1. A victory by between one and 15 points would give them a 0.06-point lead over the Boks, while a win by 16 points or more would extend that advantage to 1.30.

ALSO: Rassie to bring up Bok century

World Rugby rankings (top 10)
1. South Africa 94.33
2. New Zealand 91.90
3. Ireland 88.08
4. France 87.43
5. England 85.68
6. Scotland 84.78
7. Australia 83.55
8. Argentina 82.24
9. Fiji 78.00
10. Wales 76.38

Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images

The post Stateside showdown for No 1 ranking appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The Springboks’ leading all-time Test centurion, Eben Etzebeth, says the fourth and final Test against the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series will be as special as ever when they lock horns in the unfamiliar surroundings of the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA on Saturday night (kick-off 11:10pm SA time).

The 145-times capped Bok lock star added Test matches against their biggest and fiercest rivals remained the “ultimate test”.

The revival of traditional tours between the two most successful rugby teams in history has been a roaring success, and the Boks take a 2-1 series lead into the decider, after recovering from losing the opener at Ellis Park.

Their back-to-back wins in Cape Town and Soweto have given the Boks plenty of momentum, but the All Blacks have been close in every contest and will be desperate to bounce back and force a series draw.

“Every Test match, when you put the green and gold jersey on, is special,” said Etzebeth in the build-up to the match.

“Every time we play the All Blacks, we know the rivalry and what it means to them as well as to us.

“This one is very special. It’s obviously the decider, whether we actually win the series or it ends up as a draw, it’s a massive Test match.

“I think it’s an amazing time we’re living in, to be able to play a Test match series against New Zealand, four in a row. I think it’s the ultimate test for a rugby player.

“It’s been tough, there have been some bruising battles, but I think that’s what we all want to do and we love every second of it.”

Two best teams

The Boks and All Blacks are clearly the two best teams in world rugby at the moment, have shared the last five World Cup titles between them stretching back to 2007, as well as the last nine Rugby Championship titles stretching back to 2016.

They are so close on the world rugby rankings that the All Blacks took top spot after beating the Boks at Ellis Park, only for the hosts to snatch it back a week later.

The Boks will be very pleased to have won two of the three Tests played in South Africa, but they are now hungry to secure an outright win, while the All Blacks will be desperate not to lose and will be going all out to level the series.

With the next RGR series to take place under the same format in New Zealand in 2030, both teams will want to finish their first traditional tour since 1996 on the best possible note, in front of a packed crowd in Baltimore.

The Griquas and Pumas are looking to continue their superb domination of the local South African rugby scene when they collide in the Currie Cup final at Griqua Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Since 2022 either the Griquas or the Pumas have featured in three of the four Currie Cup finals, while both teams have battled it out in every final of the SA Cup competition since its inception in 2023.

It’s an incredible achievement from the two teams, who have impressively overtaken the Cheetahs as the best of the rest in the country, after the four SA United Rugby Championship franchises, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.

The final is a repeat of the 2022 edition, which the Griquas hosted but were then stunned 26-19 by the Pumas, who lifted the Currie Cup trophy for the first and only time in their history.

In 2023 the Pumas attempted to defend their title but were beaten by the Cheetahs in the final in Bloemfontein.

The following year saw the Sharks overcome the Lions at Ellis Park, while in 2025 it was the Griquas’ turn to upset the odds against the Lions in Johannesburg as a late penalty saw them snatch the win after the fulltime hooter, to secure their fourth Currie Cup title.

Another title

Now both the Griquas and Pumas will be looking to add another title to their collection, and the team from Kimberley will again be favourites in this final.

Griquas have only lost one game in the competition this season, when they were upset by the Stormers in Cape Town in their opener, with them going on to win their next seven straight games, including an impressive 38-14 pool win over the Pumas in Mbombela, and a thumping 52-12 semifinal win over the Lions to power their way into the final.

However, the Pumas cannot be underestimated, as they showed when they triumphed against the odds back in 2022. Also, while they lost three games in this year’s Currie Cup round robin phase, they have started to hit their straps at just the right time.

The Cheetahs had been the second best team behind the Griquas during the pool phase of the competition, but the Pumas smashed them 52-26 in their final pool game in Mbombela two weekends ago, and then recovered from a 10-3 deficit at halftime to stun the central side 27-24 in their semifinal in Bloemfontein last Saturday.

It is thus two in form teams that are set to duke it out in what should be a grandstand Currie Cup final in Kimberley.

The Pumas will also take heart from having already edged the Griquas 38-35 in the final of the SA Cup competition earlier this year to clinch their second title, while the home team will be hunting for a bit of revenge.