By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Host nation Nigeria delivered a historic and electrifying performance on Wednesday at the 2026 CAC Track African Championships in Abuja, claiming its first-ever Men Elite Team Sprint gold medal and reinforcing its growing dominance in African track cycling.
Backed by a roaring home crowd at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the Nigerian trio of Emmanuel Gabriel, Momoh Isa Jude Obinna and Hamza Yacine produced a stunning ride to secure gold in the Men Elite Team Sprint with a time of 46”083.
The victory marked a major milestone for Nigerian cycling, as the hosts defeated traditional powerhouses Algeria and South Africa to stand atop the continental podium in one of the championship’s marquee events.
Algeria settled for silver after clocking behind the Nigerian team, while Benin Republic secured bronze in 54”160. South Africa failed to finish the race.
Nigeria’s women also lit up the championships with a commanding display in the Women Junior Team Sprint final. The trio of Osayamen Osaretin Grace Godwin, Divine Esther Ogbe and Esther Godwin stormed to gold in 56”160, comfortably ahead of South Africa, which finished second in 57”750.
The success further highlighted the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian cyclists capable of challenging Africa’s established track cycling nations.
In the Men Junior Team Sprint final, Team Nigeria added another podium finish after Monday Joel Berry, Ibrahim Isiaka and Omoregie Osaretin Emmanuel raced to bronze. South Africa claimed gold in 49”050, narrowly ahead of Algeria, which finished in 49”426.
The Women Elite Team Sprint title went to Algeria after Malek Mechab, Siham Bousbaa and Yasmine Elmeddah combined to record 58”098 for gold. Benin Republic earned silver with a time of 59”750, while Team Nigeria did not finish the event.
Nigeria’s impressive campaign extended into the endurance races.
In the Men Elite Team Pursuit final, South Africa claimed gold in 4’19”191 ahead of Algeria, while the Nigerian quartet of Quwam Afolajomi Tijiani, Gabriel John Odumu, Emmanuel Gabriel and Garba Masud fought bravely to secure bronze in front of the home supporters.
South Africa also emerged champions in the Men Junior Team Pursuit, defeating Nigeria to gold, while Algeria was disqualified. Nigeria’s team of Monday Joel Berry, Ibrahim Isiaka, Ibrahim Ashiru Muhammed and Daniel Sunday finished with silver medals after a determined performance.
The hosts continued their medal surge in the scratch races.
In the Women Junior Scratch event, Nigeria dominated the podium as Osaretin Grace Godwin and Divine Ogbe clinched gold and silver respectively ahead of Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed.
Treasure Melubari Coxson also delivered for Team Nigeria by claiming bronze in the Women Elite Scratch race behind South Africa’s S’annara Grove and Algeria’s Siham Bousbaa.
In the Men Junior Scratch final, Nigeria’s Monday Joel Berry placed fifth, while compatriot Omoregie Osaretin Emmanuel finished ninth despite losing laps during the race. South Africa’s Noah September won gold ahead of Algeria’s Abdellah Allal.
The Men Elite Scratch crown went to Algeria’s Hamza Yacine, while South Africa’s Ethan Kulsen claimed silver and Egypt’s Omer Elsaid secured bronze. Nigeria’s Quwam Afolajomi Tijiani finished sixth in the fiercely contested event.
With multiple medals across sprint and endurance events — including a landmark gold in the Men Elite Team Sprint — Team Nigeria has emerged as one of the standout nations of the 2026 CAC Track African Championships, signalling a new era for the sport in the country.
The championships continue in Abuja with more titles set to be contested as Africa’s finest cyclists battle for continental supremacy.
