25th-31st May 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

There has been significant movement in African Sports during the last week of May, as the continent continues to make its mark on global sports through participation in international competitions, and clubs push the envelope both on and off the pitch.

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

Unity Cup 2025: Nigeria Defeats Ghana 2-1, Advances to Face Jamaica in Championship

The Nigerian Super Eagles guaranteed their spot in the Unity Cup Final with a spirited 2-1 victory over Ghana on Wednesday night, booking their place in the finals against Jamaica.

The much-anticipated match between the West African rivals was a hard-fought contest at London’s Brentford Community Stadium. The Super Eagles, however, emerged winners, defeating the Black Stars in a highly entertaining match.

Nigeria advances to the finals of the four-nation competition with this victory, facing Jamaica, which on Tuesday night overcame Trinidad and Tobago in an exciting 3-2 win.

World Boxing Mandates Sex Verification Test for Algeria's Khelif Ahead of Fights

Olympic Champion Imane Khelif will have to take a required sex test before she can compete in the women’s division at World Boxing competitions.

Amid this dispute over gender eligibility, the 26-year-old boxer won the gold medal in women’s welterweight competition at the Paris Olympics last year.

The International Boxing Association (IBA), the former world governing body, barred Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting and the Algerian boxer from the 2023 World Championships for allegedly failing gender eligibility tests.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which removed the IBA as the amateur international governing body of the sport in June 2023, due to issues with its operations, gave Khelif permission to compete in Paris.

According to the IOC, athletes who were listed as female on their passports were eligible to compete in the women’s division in Paris.

“All athletes over the age of 18” who want to compete in competitions that they own are sanctioned to "need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete," according to a statement released by World Boxing on Friday.

Khelif had been scheduled to return to competition at the Eidhoven Box Cup from June 5-10.

Victor Osimhen Postpones Much-Anticipated Transfer Reveal

A news conference that Victor Osimhen was supposed to hold to announce his transfer decision has been postponed.

Before cancelling, Osimhen was scheduled to make the major news next week on Wednesday, according to Fotomac.

However, Napoli has reportedly requested Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, plus £33.6m for the Nigerian striker in a swap deal.

It is no longer news that Manchester United are in desperate need of a striker to boost Ruben Amorim’s squad this summer after failing to clinch a trophy this season.

Osimhen's contract with Napoli includes a £63 million release clause that only applies to teams outside of Italy.

The Nigerian attacker has not yet decided what to do after his loan agreement with Galatasaray expires in June.

African Football Icons Rally to Revive Somalia's Beautiful Game

Emmanuel Adebayor, Samuel Eto'o, and Jay Jay Okocha, three African football icons, went to the Somali capital this week to play in an exhibition match that players and authorities believe would help open the door for the continent's best players to return frequently.

Political unrest has hindered the growth of sports in the nation, and since 1986, the men's national football team, known as the Ocean Stars, has not participated in domestic competition.

In the past, the game has brought together a population of almost 17 million people who are divided along clan lines, and Mogadishu may soon be allowed to host international games at its National Stadium, which can hold 65,000 spectators.

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Glasgow Warriors Overpower Stormers to Secure URC Semi-Final Berth

Glasgow Warriors defeated the Stormers to secure their spot in the final four, continuing their defence of the United Rugby Championship championship.

Henco Venter, Rory Darge, and Kyle Rowe all scored tries for the home team in the first half, although Seabelo Senatla's try and eight points from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's boot kept the Stormers within six points at halftime.

The South African team's Senatla scored early in the second half, but Glasgow rallied with tries from Rowe and George Horne to seal the victory with some time remaining.

In the semi-final next weekend, the Warriors will play either Leinster or Scarlets, who meet on Saturday in Dublin.

Jackson's Crucial Strike Seals Chelsea's Europa Conference League Triumph

Chelsea became the first team to win a clean sweep of the European club trophies after rallying from behind to defeat Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final.

Cole Palmer set up goals for Nicholas Jackson and Enzo Fernandes with crosses from the right as the Blues were 25 minutes away from losing in Wroclaw.

Jadon Sancho calmed the pressure with a beautiful curling finish from an assist from a fellow substitute, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Moises Caicedo scored a fourth goal with a 20-yard deflected attempt in injury time.

The Blues had justifiably trailed at the break when Abde Ezzalzouli blasted home following a feed by the superb Isco.

SA20 Cricket League: A Season of Records

With record-breaking success, South Africa’s T20 cricket competition, SA20, wrapped up its third season. The league established itself as a significant force in the worldwide T20 scene, shattering attendance, broadcast reach, and internet engagement records.

The League saw a record 70% increase in sold-out matches and a sold-out Final for the third year in a row, making this the best-attended Betway SA20 season to date. Capacity audiences once again characterised the season.

At the six locations around the nation, more than 400,000 fans poured through the turnstiles. Season 3 champions MI Cape Town's home field, Newlands, was the first stadium to sell out all five of their home games, creating history.

During the Joburg Super Kings vs. Sunrisers Eastern Cape game at Wanderers, the League also sold its one millionth ticket to a fortunate customer, marking a noteworthy milestone.

Mamelodi Sundowns Seek CAF Champions League Glory

On May 24, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Pyramids FC of Egypt played the opening leg of the CAF Champions League final in Pretoria, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Cairo will host the return leg on June 1. Sundowns, the 2016 winners, want to win their second championship and get rid of the "chokers" label.

Pyramids FC, who are making their maiden appearance in the final, have risen quickly in African football and are now posing a threat to Egypt's established dominance. The matchup between two ambitious clubs in the final looks exciting.

Amad Responds to 'Personal Abuse' With Controversial Gesture

After receiving "serious personal abuse," Manchester United winger Amad made an offensive gesture in response to fans in Malaysia, according to the team.

During United's post-season tour in Kuala Lumpur, the Ivory Coast international was seen giving the team the finger in front of onlookers outside their hotel.

On social media, a video of the incident was extensively circulated.

The winger's gesture, according to United, was a reaction to "serious personal abuse" regarding his mother.

"I have respect for people but not for the one who insults my mum," Amad wrote on X. "I shouldn't have reacted like that, but I don't regret what I did."