Online Reporter
Collin Matiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE managed to produce two African champions as they were forced to settle for fourth place overall during the 2026 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championship in Windhoek, Namibia, at the weekend.
Coming up against some of the finest riders from South Africa, Namibia and Uganda, top junior and senior Zimbabwean racers found the going tough during the two-day annual continental event, at Gallina Motocross Park in Windhoek.
In the overall team standings, the 24-member Team Zimbabwe amassed 95 points as they came fourth overall be-hind perennial African champions South Africa (279 points), hosts Namibia (135 points) and Uganda (125 points).
But there was some consolation though for Team Zimbabwe as two of their senior riders, Riley Rocher and Doug Mellor, claimed the top individual prizes in the MX2 and Veterans classes.
Sixteen-year-old Rocher was in a league of his own in the MX2 Class in which he claimed the top step on the podium at the business end of the competition on Sunday afternoon.
Rocher was all smiles on Sunday afternoon as he emerged as the cream of the crop.
He started the job, and he finished it in style as he was crowned the 2026 MX2 Class African Champion.
Rocher absolutely ran the show in this class during the two-day race meeting in Windhoek.
This is the second time that Rocher has been crowned the African Champion after he won the 125cc Championship in 2025.
This saw him earning a wildcard entry to race in the MXGP of South Africa in July this year.
Not to be outdone by Rocher in Windhoek at the weekend was seasoned campaigner and “old-warhorse” Mellor, who emerged as the top dog in the Veterans category.
Former Zimbabwean champion rider Ashley Thixton came sixth overall in the MX1 Class.
Another Zimbabwean rider, Karl Van As, was placed fifth overall in the 125cc Class.
Two of Zimbabwe’s talented young riders, Oneill Shamu and Victor Nyamupfukudza, did well to come fourth overall in the juniors 50cc and 85cc classes respectively.
According to reports from Windhoek, both Shamu, who is popularly known as “Wawie” in the local motocross circles, and Nyamupfukudza missed the podium by a whisker as they were in 3rd place for a few laps but later lost it.
Some of Zimbabwe’s good riders didn’t manage to go to Namibia for this year’s African Championship, but the team is said to have fought a good fight.
One of the country’s top senior riders, Emmanuel Bako, was there but he didn’t ride alongside his brother Munya Bako.
And speaking to the Zimpapers Sports Hub from Windhoek soon after the event on Sunday, one of Zimbabwean motocross officials, Jamie Kerwin, said the team performed well despite the tough conditions at Gallina Motocross Park.
“All riders rode well. Riley Rocher and Doug Mellor got podium finishes. We had two minor injuries. Sadly, we came 4th overall, but the team did not lose heart and gave it everything in tough conditions,” Kerwin said. This year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championship attracted a good turnout of more than 350 junior and senior riders from 11 countries — South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Madagascar, Eswatini, Angola and Mozambique.
