All eyes on South Africa as African powerhouses confirm arrival for U18/U20 Athletics Championship

The countdown has begun for the 3rd CAA African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, and all eyes are on South Africa, who arrive in Nigeria gunning for a historic hat-trick of titles. The defending champions headline a wave of powerhouse delegations that have confirmed their arrival schedules and final team rosters.

South Africa’s team is arriving with 100 members, including 42 male athletes, 40 female athletes, and 18 officials, looking to repeat their continental dominance after clinching top honors in Côte d’Ivoire (2019) and Ndola, Zambia (2023). Their 2019 campaign alone delivered 56 medals—26 gold, 20 silver, and 10 bronze—and cemented their legacy in African youth athletics.

Joining them are other elite contenders:

Kenya brings a 67-person delegation (25 male, 25 female athletes, and 17 officials), ready to challenge in middle and long-distance events.

Ethiopia, known for endurance strength, will feature 69 representatives, including 30 male and 27 female athletes.

Uganda, with a rising athletics profile, confirms a tight 28-member team, hoping to punch above their weight.

These teams are among over 900 athletes and officials from 40+ African countries converging on MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta for a weeklong spectacle of youth athletics brilliance.

Host nation Nigeria, coming off a strong second-place finish in 2023, is also geared for a thrilling run.

The last edition spotlighted homegrown sensation Samuel Ogazi, who captured the U18 200m/400m double and made headlines as a finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The stage is set for a festival of speed, strength, and future stars. The championship promises not just medals—but milestones.