Online Reporter
Collin Matiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THEY came, they saw and they conquered!
As expected, continental heavyweights, South Africa, retained the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Continental Championship for the second time in a row after sweeping the board at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare on Sunday.
Hosts Zimbabwe were once again forced to play second fiddle by their neighbours, as they came second overall with 492 points.
Team South Africa were crowned the 2025 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Champions for the third time in a row after amassing a total of 717 points during the two days of some exciting racing on Saturday and Sunday at Donnybrook.
They first came first overall when they hosted the big continental motorcycling event at the famous Zone 7 track in Cape Town in 2023 before repeating the same feat at Marrakech in Morocco in October last year.
The South Africans were at it again when the roar of engines and the spirit of competition filled the air at the iconic motorsport venue — Donnybrook — in Harare this past weekend as the continent’s finest riders gathered for the 2025 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations.
In a weekend of high drama, raw speed, and relentless determination, Team South Africa emerged as the overall champions, proudly flying the FIM Africa flag high.
South Africa’s riders delivered a masterclass in motocross, combining consistency, pace, and teamwork to secure the top step on the podium.
Their victory was hard-fought against a strong home team, with Zimbabwe earning a well-deserved second place, cheered on by hundreds of passionate local supporters. Uganda showed grit and determination to claim third with 284 points, rounding off a fiercely competitive top three.
The event was more than just a race; it was a celebration of African motocross talent, showcasing the passion, resilience and skill of riders from across the continent.
Every competitor left it all on the track, raising the level of competition and inspiring the next generation of African riders.
Former Zimbabwe champion rider, Jayden Ashwell was the star of the show for the hosts as he won all his races in the main MX1 Class.
Ashwell was just in a class of his own, sweeping the board with an unblemished 60 points, taking the top step on the podium ahead of Plantive Mathias of Madagascar (49 points) and fellow top Zimbabwean rider Ashley Thixton, who did well to finish in third place with 47 points.
There was also no stopping South Africa’s Jordan van Wyk in the MX2 Class in which he also collected the maximum 60 points to emerge victorious ahead of one of Zimbabwe’s top dirt bike riders Emmanuel Bako, who collected 51 points.
Another South African rider, Breece Romans, settled for third place with 45 points.
Bako was happy with his overall performance in the MX2 Class.
“P2 (position 2) and vice-African champion. Safe to say there’s a lot of work to do. It was a good weekend overall for me, but I’m not proud to be the first loser! Thanks to Motorsport Zimbabwe for nominating me to represent the country once again . . . It’s always an honour,” Bako said at the business end of the competition on Sunday.
Another top Zimbabwean rider, Riley Rocher, raised the country’s flag high as he beat a strong field of 18 riders to emerge as the top dog in the 125cc Class with 54 points, one ahead of South Africa’s Tristan Durow.
Thor Johnson of South Africa settled for third place with 47 points.
Ross Branch of Botswana came out tops in the Veterans Class with 57 points, taking the top step on the podium ahead of South Africa’s Jan Ryan (54 points) and Zimbabwean Doug Mellor (45 points).
In the juniors’ section, 10-year-old Zimbabwean rider Victor Nyamupfukudza did extremely well in the 65cc Class but he was unlucky not to be on the podium.
He crashed in the second and third race but he was flying.
Nyamupfukudza finished seventh overall with 26 points in the 65cc Class whose first three places went to South African riders Rayden Woolls, Ross Mackenzie and Rhys Wentzel.
Another top Zimbabwean junior rider, Chris Mufanechiya, came eighth overall in the 65cc Class.
The 2025 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations at Donnybrook brought together more than 140 riders from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, Botswana and Kenya in a true showcase of skill and passion for motorsport.
And as the dust settles in Zimbabwe, all eyes now turn to Namibia, who will play host to the 2026 edition of this spectacular championship.
If this year’s showdown is anything to go by, fans can expect another unforgettable chapter in the story of African motocross.
