28th to 3rd May 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

African sports have had an extremely exciting week. Fans from all around the world are still enthralled by the continent's sports scene. 

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

Visit Rwanda Inks New Sponsorship Amid Ongoing Arsenal Fan Protests

The African country's tourism body has inked a deal with another elite European football team, while Arsenal supporters are still demonstrating against the club's sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda.

The men's and women's teams of Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid will wear the Visit Rwanda emblem on their shirts starting in the upcoming season as part of a three-year agreement.

The Premier League team is being urged by an organisation called Gunners for Peace not to extend its agreement with Visit Rwanda because the collaboration does not align with the club's "values and standards."

They believe the sleeve sponsorship expires at the conclusion of this season and is reputedly worth around £10 million ($13.3 million) annually.

Leicester's Ndidi Available for £9m as Relegation Clause Activates

Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi, a midfielder for Leicester, has a £9 million relegation release clause this summer.

When the Foxes fell 1-0 to now-champions Liverpool last weekend and were demoted to the Championship with five games remaining, the 28-year-old's clause was activated.

The Nigerian international is one of several players in the squad who are currently thinking about their future after Leicester's 3-0 away loss to Wolves.

Last summer, Leicester was able to negotiate a new three-year contract with Ndidi. He was signed by Genk in 2017 for £17 million, however, his most recent contract probably included a release clause due to pressure from other interested parties.

Galatasaray Prioritises Osimhen Permanent Signing

Victor Osimhen

The Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray has once again stated that they intend to sign Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen permanently before the upcoming season, with an official saying that the remaining information is "just details."

After failing to find a permanent move away from Napoli, Osimhen was saved by Galatasaray last summer. He has loved his time in Turkey, making 26 appearances in the Süper Lig this season, tallying 22 goals and dishing out five assists. He has also scored goals in the Turkish Cup as the Yellow-Reds attempt to win both domestic titles this season.

The 26-year-old former African Footballer of the Year may sign a permanent contract with Galatasaray, according to Eray Yazgan, general secretary, despite ongoing rumours linking Osimhen to Manchester United.

French Court Upholds Conviction of Algerian Footballer for Incitement

Youcef Atal

Youcef Atal, an Algerian international football player, was found guilty on Wednesday, April 30, of supporting Palestine, and the French Court of Appeals upheld the previous sentence.

Atal was fined $51,000 and given an eight-month suspended prison term for posting a video in support of Palestinians on his Instagram account in October 2023 while playing for OGC Nice. After uploading the video, he was charged with inciting religious hatred.

Egyptian Giants Al Ahly Close to Appointing New Manager

Marco Rose

According to reports, Egyptian giants Al Ahly are in talks with German coach Marco Rose to replace Marcel Koller.

After losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League semifinals, the Red Devils fired former coach Marcel Koller.

The need to hire a new coach is more pressing because the Egyptians will also be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in June.

Rose and the club's management are reportedly negotiating before completing the former Borussia Dortmund manager's contract, according to a number of Egyptian publications.

Algerian Forward Bounedjah Opens Up on Near Move to Al Ahly

Baghdad Bounedjah

During the most recent winter transfer window, Algerian forward Baghdad Bounedjah disclosed the reasons why his move to Al Ahly of Egypt had failed.

During the winter transfer window, the player was connected to Al Ahly, but the deal fell through.

Baghdad Bounedjah said via "beIN Sports": "Indeed, there were communications between the managements of Al Ahly and Al Shamal, but an agreement regarding my transfer was not reached. The management of Al Shamal rejected the matter and requested my stay due to the club's project that they want me to be a part of."

He added, "It was an honour for me to have my name linked to Al Ahly, and I was very excited and happy to go to Egypt, and of course, I wanted that. Thank God for everything, I wish all the best for Al Ahly, and what is being said now about the existence of negotiations is just rumours."

Assefa Shatters Women's Record While Sawe Triumphs in Men's Race

Sebastian Sawe of Kenya won the men's race at the London Marathon, and Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia swept to victory in a women-only field world record.

With ten kilometres remaining, Olympic silver medallist Assefa overtook Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 winner, and crossed the finish line in two hours, fifteen minutes, and fifty seconds.

Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya established the previous mark in London last year, but Assefa beat it by 26 seconds.

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, the 2023 winner and Olympic champion, came in third place, about three minutes behind Jepkosgei.

Sawe, a rookie in the men's race, surged ahead with just over 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) left, and his competitors couldn't keep up. The Kenyan finished in 2:02:27.