6th - 12th July 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

What a week it’s been! With WAFCON 2024 in full swing, big-name transfer updates making headlines, and electric performances on the track, Africa’s sporting scene is buzzing with excitement. 

From football to athletics, this week has truly showcased the energy, diversity, and rising momentum of sports across the continent. Let’s dive into the biggest stories lighting up African sport!

Noah Lyles Stuns Olympic Champ Tebogo in Electrifying 200m Comeback Race

Noah Lyles won the men's 200-meter event at the Diamond League meet in Monaco, defeating Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

Last year, Lyles, the third-place finisher, tested positive for COVID after the Olympic 200-meter final, which was won by Tebogo of Botswana. Tebogo won the 200m at the most recent Diamond League meeting in Eugene on July 5th, setting a world record of 19.76 seconds going into the Monaco competition.

Olympic 100-meter champion Lyles had not run since a 400-meter event in April and had not run more than 200 meters in 338 days. Tebogo finished second in 19.97, but the 27-year-old held on to win in 19.88.

Ghizlane Chebbak's Hat-Trick Rescues Morocco in 4-2 WAFCON Thriller Against DR Congo

After a wild game in Rabat, the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) hosts defeated DR Congo 4-2, with Ghizlane Chebbak emerging victorious once more as the captain of Morocco scored a brilliant hat-trick to ensure her team did not make a mistake.

In their first game against Zambia, Chebbak, who turns 35 next month and was crowned player of the tournament at the previous WAFCON, had already saved the Atlas Lionesses with a late long-range curl to secure a 2-2 draw.

She scored twice in 19 minutes of the first half this time to calm the crowd after Merveille Kanjinga had stunned the crowded Olympic Stadium by handing the Congolese a surprising lead with six minutes remaining.

Flavine Mawete's goal with 20 minutes left put the Central Africans, who had only managed two shots on goal, momentarily back on track. However, Chebbak's hat-trick was completed just six minutes later when she slid in at the far post, and DR Congo's resistance was finally broken by a penalty kick from Yasmin Mrabet in the closing minutes.

What’s next? Morocco will play Senegal in the last round of group matches, and Zambia will play DR Congo on Saturday. Both matches will start at 19:00 GMT.

Sunderland Land Brighton's Rising Star Adingra in Five-Year Deal

Simon Adingra, a winger from Brighton, has officially joined Sunderland on a permanent deal.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international signed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light for a sum of £21 million with add-ons.

After joining Brighton from FC Nordsjælland in 2022, Adingra spent the 2022–2023 season on loan with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.

Last season, he played 29 Premier League games, with two assists and two goals.

Super Falcons Power Into WAFCON Quarterfinals With Commanding 1-0 Win

Nigeria became the first team to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Botswana in a late game.

When Chinwendu Ihezuo slid in to meet a low right-wing cross from fellow substitute Esther Okoronkwo, she bundled the ball past Botswana goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja to score the game's lone goal in the 89th minute in Casablanca.

Following a 0-0 tie between North African rivals Tunisia and Algeria earlier on Thursday, Nigeria's victory guaranteed them a top-two finish and put them atop Group B.

Nigeria will play Algeria in the last round of group matches, and Tunisia will face Botswana on Sunday. Both matches will start at 19:00 GMT.

South Africa Fight Back to Secure Crucial Point Against Tanzania at WAFCON 2024

Veteran defender Bambanani Mbane saved South Africa as the defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations winners were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in Group C.

It was not shocking when returning Twiga Stars captain Opah Clement opened the scoring in the 24th minute in Oujda after demonstrating intent and creating numerous chances.

The South African goalie may have needed to improve her positioning, but the forward's header from a free-kick past Kaylin Swart.

Banyana Banyana had more energy after a double replacement at halftime, and the holders tied the score in the 70th minute when Mbane scored from a corner.

South Africa returned to the top of Group C, surpassing the West Africans on goal differential but sharing four points with Mali. With a spot in the quarterfinals all but certain, those two teams square off in the penultimate round of games on Monday at 19:00 GMT.

Spurs Raid London Rivals West Ham for Ghanaian Dynamo Kudus in £55m Deal

Subject to a work visa, Tottenham has successfully acquired Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55 million.

With an £85 million release clause, the Ghanaian midfielder signed a six-year contract with Spurs that ends in 2031.

Last week, West Ham turned down Tottenham's first offer of £50 million.

The 24-year-old star played 65 Premier League games with the Hammers, contributing nine assists and 13 goals.

Semenya Court Victory Overturns Gender Testing Rules in Global Athletics

Due to her domination, 34-year-old Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic and three-time world 800-meter champion, was prohibited from participating in her favourite event in 2019 by a set of restrictions created by sports authorities.

They assert that in order for her to compete fairly with other women, her natural testosterone level must be medically lowered because it is far higher than that of a regular woman.

Caster Semenya declined to have her hormones artificially changed and contested the regulations in front of the Swiss Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Swiss Supreme Court, and now the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds of discrimination.

In Caster Semenya's final legal challenge after losing the other two, the European Court's highest chamber ruled on Thursday that she had not been given a fair hearing before the Swiss Supreme Court.