22nd-28th June 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

The final week of June included noteworthy headlines in African Sports, most notably the performance of African teams in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Sport Blot brings you a comprehensive analysis covering thrilling sports activities on the continent this week.

Kirsty Coventry Makes History as IOC President

Kirsty Coventry, a swimming hero from Zimbabwe, made athletic history on March 20, 2025, when she was elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its General Assembly. She formally succeeded outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach on Monday, 23 June 2025.

As a result, the Zimbabwean became the organisation's first female employee and the first African to occupy the top position.

With LA 2028 approaching, Coventry, a two-time Olympic winner, starts her eight-year term at a critical juncture.

Nigeria Aims for Historic Flag Football Debut at LA 2028 Olympics

Following the success of both men's and women's teams at the first African Flag Football Championship, Nigeria is aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Instead of tackling their opponent to the ground, competitors in this non-contact variation of American football must pull a flag off the player holding the ball.

Both Nigerian teams have secured direct qualification to the Flag Football World Championships next year as African champions, and flag football will make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games.

Nigeria's victory in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday, June 21, was deemed "deeply symbolic" by Oluwaseye Obatolu, the vice president of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA).

Chelsea End Esperance De Tunis’ Club World Cup Dream With Dominant Victory

Tunisian powerhouse Esperance lost 3-0 to English side Chelsea on Tuesday night, ending their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

Despite a fierce performance that carried the ambition of a whole continent, the Premier League team's two goals in first-half stoppage time destroyed the North Africans' dreams in a game when they required a victory to move from Group D.

Just before halftime, Esperance, who had held Chelsea at bay for forty-five minutes, broke down. Liam Delap scored his first goal for Chelsea following his recent transfer.

Ultimately, Esperance's third-place finish in Group D, behind leaders Flamengo and Chelsea, is confirmed by the loss, after winning just one game and losing two.

Al Ahly's Club World Cup Dream Ends in 4-4 Thriller Against Porto

FC Porto and Al Ahly FC shared the spoils in a thrilling 4–4 draw at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which featured eight goals. Unfortunately, it was insufficient for the former African champions to advance in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Although the match was one of the most interesting in the tournament, Wessam Abou Ali's incredible hat-trick for the Egyptian powerhouses took centre stage, but a last-minute rocket from Porto’s Pepê meant both teams were eliminated.

The draw wasn’t enough to reach the knockout stage, owing to the fact that they only managed a point previously from a draw with Inter Miami and suffered a loss against Palmeiras.

Mamelodi Sundowns Exit Club World Cup Following Goalless Draw Against Fluminense

South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, after defeating Ulsan HD, faced German powerhouse Dortmund on June 21 in a highly entertaining game that ended in a devastating 4-3 loss.

Their follow-up match in Group F was against Fluminense, which saw the former CAF Champions League winners only struggle and ended up exiting the competition in a goalless draw.

They exit the tournament with a win, a loss and a draw.

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Wydad AC Fall Out of FIFA Club World Cup With No Points

Moroccan side, Wydad AC couldn’t pick up any points from the Club World Cup after their final game against Al Ain ended in a 2-1 defeat on June 26.

Wydad faced an opening 2-0 defeat against English champions Manchester City and also suffered humiliation at the hands of Italian giants Juventus in a 4-1 loss, ultimately ending at the bottom of the Group G table.

United's £62.5m Offer for Mbeumo fails to meet Brentford's Valuation

Brentford rejected Manchester United's revised offer for Bryan Mbeumo, which was valued at up to £62.5 million.

For the 25-year-old, United has offered £55 million plus £7.5 million in add-ons.

Earlier this month, their offer of £45 million with an additional £10 million for the Cameroon forward was rejected.

After spending £62.5 million to acquire forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves, United is hoping to add goals to their roster.

Before agreeing to the transfer of a player who still has one year remaining on his contract, Brentford reportedly wants at least the same upfront payment as Wolves received for Cunha.

Brighton Complete Signing of Nigerian Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Chiamaka Nnadozie, a Nigerian goalkeeper, joined Brighton from Paris FC on a free transfer.

When the 24-year-old's contract with the French team expires on July 1st, she will join the team.

Nnadozie made her senior debut in 2018 and has since made 55 appearances for her nation.

Between 2022 and 2025, she made 16 appearances for Paris FC in Europe, giving her experience in the Women's Champions League.

Southampton Confirm Onuachu Departure as Striker Seals Trabzonspor Move

Paul Onuachu's transfer from Southampton to Trabzonspor of the Turkish Super Lig has been agreed upon.

During his two and a half years at St. Mary's, the 31-year-old Nigerian international made 40 appearances.

Last season, when the Saints finished last in the Premier League with 12 points and were demoted to the Championship, Onuachu scored all four of the team's goals.

Burnley Complete Free Transfer Signing of Defender Axel Tuanzebe

After his contract with Ipswich Town expired, centre-back Axel Tuanzebe was signed by Burnley on a free transfer.

During the 2023–24 season, Tuanzebe made 45 appearances for the Tractor Boys in all competitions and helped them get promoted to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old, who made 22 appearances in the Premier League the previous season, has chosen to stay with Burnley, who were recently promoted, instead of signing a new contract with Ipswich.

According to reports, the DR Congo defender has agreed to a one-year contract with Turf Moor, making him head coach Scott Parker's third summer acquisition.

Kipyegon Misses Target in Sub-Four-Minute Mile Attempt

Faith Kipyegon failed in her attempt to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile.

In pursuit of the historic achievement, the 31-year-old Kenyan ran four minutes 06.42 seconds in ideal conditions at Stade Charlety in Paris, which was 1.22 seconds quicker than her world record.

At the Nike-sponsored 'Breaking4' event, Kipyegon donned technologically upgraded gear and shoes and was aided by a team of male and female pacemakers; therefore, the time will not be accepted as an official record.

Almost five seconds quicker than any other female athlete in history, Kipyegon's official women's mile record of 4:07.64 was achieved in July 2023.

That historic run in Monaco gave Kipyegon the impression that she could achieve sub-four, which was previously thought to be physiologically impossible for a woman.

The three-time Olympic 1500m winner, however, still had a gap to fill because she needed to race two seconds faster per lap than she had previously.