Nigerian Golfer Francis Epe Earns Spot in 2026 Magic Kenya Open After CIO Championship Win

Nigerian professional golfer Francis Epe earned a spot in the 2026 Magic Kenya Open after winning the CIO Championship. The championship, held at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt, featured a competitive field of 100 players and offered a $50,000 prize purse.

Epe's victory at the 6th CIO Golf Classic in November 2025 secured his qualification for the flagship event of the DP World Tour scheduled for February 19-22 at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi, Kenya. The CIO Championship, with its unique format in West Africa, integrates the Safari Tour Mini League qualifying system, providing a pathway for top performers to compete on the global stage.

In addition to Epe, Rwandan professional Celestin Nsanzuwera also claimed a ticket to the Magic Kenya Open. Ikenna Okafor, the CEO of Keev Global, sponsored the CIO Championship, hailing Epe's achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian professional golf and a significant milestone for the country's golf scene.