11th-17th 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 third week of May 2025.

Sport Blot brings you a summary of the week's most noteworthy African sporting events.

Achraf Hakimi Named African Player of the Year in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been named the best African player in Ligue 1 for the 2024–2025 season in France.

For the Marc-Vivien Foe Prize on Monday, May 12, the Moroccan international defeated Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra from Senegal and Nice forward Evann Guessand from the Ivory Coast.

The 26-year-old football player expressed his happiness at receiving the award. This is the first time a PSG player has ever won such a prestigious accolade in the club's history.

After Sofiane Boufal in 2016, Younès Belhanda in 2012, and Marouane Chamakh in 2009, Hakimi is the fourth North African to win the Marc-Vivien Foe Award. He is currently the second defender to receive this honour, following Chancel Mbemba of the Congo in 2023.

The trophy is presented in honour of Marc-Vivien Foe, a Cameroonian football player who tragically passed away in 2003 while playing against Colombia in the Confederations Cup.

South Africa Prepares for World Test Championship Final

The Proteas, the South African cricket team, are preparing for their matchup with Australia in the World Test Championship final. In the face of criticism following a recent ban, coach Shukri Conrad defended fast bowler Kagiso Rabada by highlighting the team's emphasis on national pride and Rabada's preparation.

The Proteas are committed to winning the championship title because of their impressive record, which includes wins over Bangladesh, the West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

FIFA Lifts Ban on Congo Republic's Football Federation

FIFA officially removed the suspension that was placed on the Republic of Congo’s Football Federation (FECOFOOT), which brought an end to a three-month standoff that was brought up over allegations of third-party involvement.

This ban, which resulted from a protracted conflict between FECOFOOT and the Congolese sports ministry, had caused major sports facilities, including the federation's headquarters, to close and hindered national football activities.

The issue attracted widespread attention after FIFA suspended the Republic of Congo's football organisation in early 2025 for violating its policy against third-party interference in national football bodies.

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

Tributes Pour In for Late Rugby Star Cornal Hendricks

Cornal Hendricks, a former South African winger, passed away at the age of 37 following a heart attack.

Hendricks passed away on Wednesday, May 14, after making 12 appearances for the Springboks and scoring five tries.

The winger, who had previously played sevens for his country, made his Test debut for the Springboks against Wales in 2014.

Ten years ago, Hendricks was forced to quit professional rugby due to cardiac issues.

He did, however, return to action in 2019 with the Bulls, a Super Rugby team headquartered in Pretoria, following a second medical opinion.

He played rugby sevens for South Africa from 2011 to 2014, winning a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and being selected for the Blitzboks for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Throughout his 17-year career, he participated in 233 first-class matches.

Nigerian Striker Awoniyi in Medically Induced Coma Following Surgery

Taiwo Awoniyi, a Nigerian international, underwent emergency surgery to fix internal injuries sustained in the last moments of Sunday's 2-2 Premier League match with Leicester City.

On Monday, May 12th, Awoniyi was brought to the hospital for the first part of surgery. The second stage was finished on Wednesday, May 14th, and later that night, he was roused from the induced coma.

Due to an offside protocol that was implemented in 2020, the assistant referee did not raise the flag until play was over, even though Awoniyi was injured when he struck the post while attempting to receive a cross from Anthony Elanga, who was offside in the build-up to the 88th minute incident.

Nottingham Forest confirmed that the 27-year-old player is “recovering well” following the surgery.

Mohamed Salah Makes Cut for Premier League Player of the Season Shortlist

The Premier League player of the season award has three nominees from Liverpool's championship-winning team.

After leading the Reds to their 20th league championship, captain Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah are at the top of the eight-player shortlist.

Midfielder Gravenberch has missed just one game this season, while defender Van Dijk has participated in every game for Liverpool, helping them to record 14 clean sheets.

African forward Salah is the front-runner for the title since he has a league-high 46 goal contributions, including 28 goals.