Nigeria’s cyclists battling equipment disadvantage at African Championship — CFN VP

Posted : 17 May 2026

The Vice President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), James Amidu, has blamed outdated racing bicycles for Nigeria’s struggles at the ongoing 2026 African Track Cycling Championship in Abuja.

Amidu said Nigerian cyclists are competing with inferior equipment against countries such as South Africa and Egypt, whose athletes use modern race-specific bicycles designed for different track events.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, the CFN vice president explained that the technology gap has affected Nigeria’s ability to challenge for more gold medals at the championship.

According to him, most Nigerian riders still rely on ordinary bicycles, while rival nations arrive with advanced machines tailored for sprint, endurance, and pursuit races.

“The equipment gap has placed Nigerian riders at a disadvantage against stronger cycling nations on the continent.

“You can see the kind of equipment they are using here in Abuja is not what we in Nigeria are using.

“We are still using ordinary bicycles, while others are using more advanced machines specifically designed for each event. I think that is part of the problem,” he said.

Amidu pointed to the dominance of South Africa and Egypt in recent events as evidence of the disparity in equipment quality.

He noted that although Nigerian athletes possess the talent to compete favorably, inadequate racing gear continues to hinder their performance on the track.

“It’s not that they are better than us. The issue is that the equipment is not available.

“Other countries come with bicycles specifically designed for each race they are participating in. We usually improvise,” he added.

Despite the challenges, Amidu praised Nigeria’s para-cyclists for delivering an impressive outing at the 3rd Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Para Championship held between May 9 and May 11 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja.

Nigeria finished top of the para championship medal table with nine gold, five silver, and two bronze medals ahead of Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Algeria.

He said the achievement demonstrated the determination and resilience of Nigerian athletes despite limited resources and inadequate equipment.

“I do not think it should discourage us because if physically challenged athletes can win medals, then we too can succeed even without the best equipment.

“We will continue to make use of what is available, but we must upgrade our equipment for better results,” he said.

Amidu also expressed concern over poor spectator turnout and limited media attention during the championship, attributing it to inadequate publicity.

He, however, commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, for attending the event on Friday.

The 12th Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Track Cycling Championships began on May 11 and will conclude on May 17 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, Package A, Abuja.

Eight countries are participating in the competition, including Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Benin Republic.

The 2026 African Track Cycling Championship has highlighted both the immense potential of Nigerian riders and the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades within the sport. While the historic triumph of the para-cyclists offers a beacon of hope, sustained success on the continental stage will depend heavily on securing advanced equipment. Addressing these resource gaps remains vital if Team Nigeria is to fully close the technology deficit and dominate future international cycling events.

Nigeria’s cyclists battling equipment disadvantage at African Championship — CFN VP

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