02nd May to 10th May 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

The African sports landscape is a hive of exciting competitions and events as we enter the second week of May 2025.

Here is a summary of the week's most noteworthy African sporting events.

TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON 2025: Quarterfinal Matchups Confirmed in Egypt

Following a series of exciting group stage matches, eight teams secured their places in the competition's quarterfinals as the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 group stage came to an end on Friday, May 9.

Emerging players from the continent have competed in the tournament, which qualifies them for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025. They are all vying for the continental title and the four spots that Africa has available at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year.

The teams advancing to the knockout stage are: Egypt (Hosts), DR Congo, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa.

The quarter-finals will take place on Monday, 12 May.

TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 Quarter-Finals Fixtures

12:00 GMT | Nigeria vs Senegal

15:00 GMT | Ghana vs Egypt

15:00 GMT | Morocco vs Sierra Leone

18:00 GMT | South Africa vs DR Congo

Cisse Unveils Bold Strategy to Restore Libya's Football Glory

Libyan football is trying to rekindle its competitive spirit after years of lost chances on the continental scene.

Aliou Cisse, the former Senegal boss who led the West Africans to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title, has taken this mission upon himself.

Cisse's choice to take over as head coach of the Mediterranean Knights in March would have come as a shock to many.

However, the 49-year-old's decision to join a country that is ranked 31st in Africa and 117th in the world was motivated by a common belief.

"I chose to be here in Libya and start this project because from my very first meeting with the board members of the Libyan Football Federation, I felt the willingness and how much they believed in me as a person and as a coach," Cisse told BBC Sport Africa. "They have a clear vision, and there is where our ideas met."

Since 2012, Libya has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Cisse has already identified a number of areas that may be improved.

Sharks End Ospreys' URC Play-Off Hopes with Dominant Win in Durban

The loss against the Sharks has virtually ended the Ospreys' chances of making the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs.

The South African team won a hard-fought match in Durban with two tries apiece in each half.

In a bold but constrained performance by the visitors at Kings Park, Sam Parry came off the bench to score his fifth try of the year.

The Sharks' quarterfinal home advantage was guaranteed with their bonus-point victory, but it was marred by Eben Etzebeth's knee injury, which forced him to leave the pitch in a medical buggy.

Mohamed Salah Claims Top Honour at Football Writers' Awards

Mohamed Salah, a forward for Liverpool, was named the winner of the Football Writers' Association's men's player of the year award for the third time.

Salah broke the record for the most goal involvements in a single 38-game Premier League season by scoring 28 goals and dishing out 18 assists to help Liverpool win the league.

Liverpool advanced to the Champions League round of 16 with the help of the Egyptian's three goals and four assists.

The 32-year-old extended his stay at Anfield until 2027 after signing a new two-year contract last month.

The largest margin of victory this century was achieved by Salah, who received 90% of the votes cast by more than 900 FWA members.

Rabada Cleared for Cricket Comeback After Serving Drugs Ban

After serving a one-month sanction for using a recreational substance, South African bowler Kagiso Rabada has been given permission to resume playing cricket.

Last Saturday, the 29-year-old announced that he was serving a provisional ban after having "returned an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug."

Rabada tested positive for a "substance of abuse" on January 21 during the SA20 T20 competition, according to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids), which was informed on April 1.

If the athlete finishes a treatment program, the three-month penalty for such substances is lowered to one month.

It indicates that Rabada, one of the top fast bowlers in the world, will be available for South Africa when they play Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.

PSG Reach UCL Final After Hakimi's Magical Strike Decides Semifinal

Achraf Hakimi’s incredible curler ends Arsenal's bid to reach the UCL Final on a dramatic night in Parc des Princes.

After 27 minutes, Fabian Ruiz received a headed clearance from Thomas Partey and, with the aid of a tiny deflection, flashed a 20-yard effort past Arsenal keeper David Raya to give PSG the lead.

After 72 minutes, Partey was at fault for PSG's increased lead. He lost control before Achraf Hakimi scored the game-winning goal.

On May 31, Paris Saint-Germain will play Inter Milan in the Champions League finals.

Seychelles 2025: Senegal Book Semifinal Spot in Style at Beach Soccer World Cup

In a dramatic match at the Paradise Arena in Victoria on Thursday, May 8, Senegal defeated Italy 4-3 in extra time at the last second to advance to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Seychelles 2025 semi-finals.

Senegal will play Belarus in the round of four on Saturday, May 10, in an attempt to make it to the global showcase tournament final for the first time. Their greatest result to date was fourth place in 2021.

Their matchup with Italy was a seesaw battle that went back and forth.

Fixtures – 10/05/2025

Semi-Finals

Belarus vs Senegal

Portugal vs Brazil

Moroccan-Born Athlete to Fight for Spain at Muay Thai World Championship

Ossama Rouimi, a Muay Thai fighter who was born in Morocco, will compete for Spain in the next Muay Thai World Championship. At the age of seven, Rouimi relocated to Spain, where a friend introduced him to Muay Thai. Over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to the sport, securing three professional titles, including two in Thailand, the origin of Muay Thai

The MooAy Thai World Championship, which is scheduled for June in Verona, Italy, will be Rouimi's next challenge.