Team Nigeria cyclists celebrate medal victories at the 2026 CAC Track African Championships in Abuja.
Nigeria’s cyclists continued to make a strong statement at the ongoing 2026 CAC Track African Championships in Abuja, securing medals in several events and qualifying for major finals as competition intensified at the velodrome.
The continental championship, taking place from May 13 to 17, has attracted top riders from across Africa, with Team Nigeria competing fiercely against cycling powerhouses such as Egypt, South Africa and Algeria.
Ibrahim Isiaka Wins Silver in Junior Men’s Points Race
One of Nigeria’s biggest highlights came in the junior men’s 25km points race where Ibrahim Isiaka claimed silver after a thrilling contest with South Africa’s Noah September.
Isiaka finished with 60 points, narrowly behind September who secured gold with 63 points, while Egypt’s Saifallah Ali Alsayed settled for bronze with 58 points.
Another Nigerian cyclist, Joel Berry Monday, also delivered a commendable performance, finishing seventh in the highly competitive race.
Godwin Grace defeated Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed
Nigeria celebrated gold in the women’s junior sprint event as Godwin Grace defeated Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed in straight rides to emerge African champion.
Ogbe Divine further boosted Team Nigeria’s medal tally by winning bronze after overcoming Egypt’s Jomana Mahmoud.
The result reinforced Nigeria’s growing dominance in women’s junior cycling on the continent.
Grace Ayuba Secures Silver
In the elite women’s sprint, Nigerian cyclist Grace Ayuba clinched silver behind Egypt’s Shahd Mohamed who won gold.
South Africa’s Amber Hindmarch finished with bronze, while Nigeria’s Jessica Ali Gambo ended the competition in fifth position.
Nigeria also earned another podium finish in the women’s junior points race as Godwin Osaretin Grace secured silver with 19 points behind Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed who dominated with 48 points.
Ogbe Divine narrowly missed a podium finish after placing fourth with 12 points.
Nigerian Cyclists showed resilience
Nigeria’s riders also showed resilience in the elite women’s points race.
Patience Effiong Otuodung finished sixth, while Mary Samuel placed seventh after suffering a points deduction despite earlier gaining a lap advantage.
In the men’s elite elimination race, Tijiani Quwam Afolajomi won bronze for Nigeria behind South Africa’s Gustav Roller and Algeria’s Assal Med Nadjib.
Gabriel John Odumu also reached the final and finished seventh.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Isiaka added another bronze medal in the junior men’s elimination final, while Joel Berry Monday finished ninth.
Nigeria maintained strong representation
Nigeria maintained strong representation heading into Day Three of the championships with athletes competing in the Madison, Omnium, Individual Pursuit and Time Trial events.
The host nation fielded riders in both junior and elite men’s Madison finals, including Joel Berry Monday, Gabriel John Odumu and Shaibu Ibrahim as they aimed to challenge experienced South African and Algerian teams.
In the women’s Omnium events scheduled for Friday, Divine Ogbe and Esther Godwin Osayamen represented Nigeria in the junior category, while Treasure Melubari Coxson and Patience Effiong Otuodung featured in the elite division.
Nigeria also competed strongly in the men’s individual pursuit qualifiers with Joel Berry Monday participating in the junior 3km event, while Gabriel John Odumu and Masud Garba raced in the elite 4km category.
Home Support Boosts Team Nigeria’s Performance
In the one-kilometre time trial qualification rounds, Nigerian cyclists Joel Berry Monday and Ibrahim Isiaka battled riders from Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe for places in the finals.
Earlier events also produced another medal for Nigeria when Joel Berry Monday won bronze in the junior men’s keirin behind South Africa’s Daniel le Roux and Algeria’s Abdellah Allal.
The championships will continue with medal events in the Madison, Omnium, Time Trial and Individual Pursuit before concluding with sprint and keirin finals on Sunday.
With multiple podium finishes already secured and several finals still ahead, Team Nigeria continues to demonstrate rising strength in African track cycling while enjoying massive support from home fans in Abuja.
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