Port Harcourt is basking in rare sporting glory as Nigerian professional golfer Francis Epe has found his name on international golf headlines with a remarkable victory that is now putting the city firmly on the global sporting map.
Epe recently emerged champion at the prestigious CIO Golf Championship held at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt, defeating over a hundred competitors from across West Africa.
The win earned him a highly coveted qualification ticket to the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, one of Africa’s biggest professional golf tournaments and a recognised event on the DP World Tour calendar.
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For a sport that rarely dominates Nigerian headlines, Epe’s achievement has sparked excitement among sports lovers and social media users alike, especially in Rivers State where the tournament was hosted. His triumph is being celebrated as a breakthrough moment for Nigerian golf and proof that world-class talent can rise from local fairways.
The Magical Kenya Open, scheduled to take place in Nairobi this February, will see Epe compete against some of the finest golfers from around the world. It is a stage that offers not only international exposure but also the chance to place Nigerian golf on a global platform rarely accessed by players from the region.
The win shows Port Harcourt’s growing relevance in African sports development. Hosting a championship that produces international qualifiers sends a strong message about the city’s sporting potential and its capacity to nurture elite athletes.
Golf analysts have described Epe’s performance as composed, tactical and fearless, qualities that will be tested even further in Kenya’s highly competitive field.
