104th Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship winner Adel Balala/HANDOUTAdel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club claimed the 104th NCBA Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship after defeating Maahir Patel of Sigona Golf Club 3&2 in Sunday's final at Limuru Country Club to secure a place in the 2027 Magical Kenya Open.
The 27-year-old completed an impressive week in which he played 125 holes over four days, displaying consistency and composure to lift one of the Kenya Golf Union's most prestigious amateur titles. The triumph also completed his amateur double, having previously won the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship in 2021.
Balala said the victory was a reward for bouncing back after narrowly missing out on the NCBA Kenya Amateur Strokeplay title the previous weekend.
"It's been a long week and a real test of mental endurance. Playing 125 holes over four days is not easy, but I enjoyed every moment of the challenge," he said.
"I came into this championship determined to make up for narrowly missing out in the NCBA Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship last weekend. Winning the Match Play title and earning a place at the Magical Kenya Open makes all the hard work worthwhile."
Balala enjoyed a commanding run through the draw, beating Sylvester Etaan 2&1, Rafael Leming'ani 5&3 and Pranay Kapur 3&2 before surviving a marathon semi-final against reigning Kenya Amateur Strokeplay champion Jay Sandhu. The pair were tied after 18 holes before Balala prevailed after two extra holes to reach the final.
Sixteen-year-old Patel impressed throughout the week, reaching the final after edging clubmate Junaid Ayaz Manji on the 21st hole in the semi-finals. Although he fell to Balala in the title match, the youngster was encouraged by his breakthrough run.
"My goal was simply to take it one match at a time, so to make it all the way has been a fantastic experience," Patel said.
Kenya Golf Union chairman Brian Akun praised both finalists, describing match play as the ultimate test of resilience and strategy.
The victory lifted Balala into the top six of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Order of Merit with 499 points from three events. Sandhu remains the overall leader on 1,330 points ahead of John Kamais (944) and Elvis Muigua (689).
