June 29th - 5th July 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

African sports fans witnessed an exciting blend of skill, victory, and change in a variety of disciplines as June came to an end and July got underway. The game of football also lost some key players during the week.

Sports Blot brings you a comprehensive summary of the most important stories from June 29 to July 5, 2025.

BAL Finals: Al Ahli Tripoli Breakthrough

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2025 season final was played on June 14 in Pretoria, South Africa, seeing Al Ahli emerge victorious.

Al Ahli Tripoli became the first Libyan team to win the title and the first team to win the league after qualifying through the Road to BAL after defeating the reigning champions Petro, 88-67 in the final. Al Ahli qualified for the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup as the winner. This event did not take place within the week, but better late than never, right?

Antoine Semenyo Signs Long-Term Bournemouth Deal Until 2030

Antoine Semenyo, a winger for Bournemouth, has agreed to a new deal that will keep him at Vitality Stadium through the summer of 2030.

The Ghanaian attacker, 25, signed a long-term deal a year ago after joining Bristol City in January 2023.

Thirteen of his 22 goals and 89 appearances came during Bournemouth's stellar 2024–25 season, which saw them finish ninth in the Premier League.

Serhou Guirassy's Brace Powers Dortmund to Club World Cup Quarterfinals

At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Borussia Dortmund defeated Monterrey 2-1 on Saturday, and Serhou Guirassy's brace helped them set up an enticing quarterfinal matchup against five-time FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) winners Real Madrid.

Dortmund seized control of the first half thanks to two goals from the Guinean international, both of which were set up by Karim Adeyemi.

Atalanta Complete £18m Signing of Kamaldeen Sulemana From Southampton

Kamaldeen Sulemana left Southampton to join Atalanta, an Italian team, for a possible £18 million.

According to BBC Sport, the Saints' contract includes a sell-on clause. The 23-year-old has made 74 appearances since being signed in 2023 for a club-record £22 million.

On deadline day in February 2023, the Ghanaian international transferred from French team Rennes to St. Mary's. During his two-and-a-half years on the south coast, he recorded four goals and seven assists.

Football World Mourns as Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai Passes at 61

The former Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, was praised as a "giant of football" after passing away on Thursday, July 3rd at the age of 61 after a protracted illness.

Known by his nickname, Dodo Mayana, he represented his country at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and assisted the Super Eagles in winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.

Rufai, who was born in Lagos, had an incredible international career, winning 65 caps from 1983 to 1998.

He was a remarkable performer for Nigeria's golden generation of the 1990s because of his steady hands, commanding presence, and composed manner.

Mohamed Salah Leads Tributes: “Jota's Death Impossible to Accept”

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of his teammate Diogo Jota, calling the loss "extremely difficult to accept."

Jota, 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 25, lost their lives in a fatal car crash while returning to Liverpool for pre-season. Jota had recently undergone minor surgery and, following medical advice against air travel, opted to make the journey by road and ferry.

In a heartfelt statement, Salah said,

"I'm completely lost for words. Never did I imagine something could make me fear returning to Liverpool — but this changes everything. Teammates often leave clubs, but not like this. Not in this way."

Salah, who has played alongside Jota since 2020, extended his condolences:

"My heart goes out to his wife, his children, and his parents who now face the unimaginable pain of losing two sons. Diogo and Andre will always be remembered. Those closest to them need every bit of support right now."

The football community continues to mourn the loss of the Portuguese forward, whose talent and spirit left a lasting impression both on and off the pitch.

Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey Faces Rape Charges in UK Court

Thomas Partey, a former football player for Arsenal, has been charged with one count of sexual assault and five counts of rape.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the offences are believed to have occurred between 2021 and 2022.

There are three women involved in the charges: one lady has accused him of two counts of rape, another of three counts of rape, and a third woman accused the Ghanaian footballer of sexual assault.

According to his attorney, the Ghanaian international "welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name" and refutes the accusations.

Birmingham City Complete Signing of Nigerian Winger Bright Osayi-Samuel

After his contract at Fenerbahce ended, Bright Osayi-Samuel, a full-back for Nigeria, signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City.

The 27-year-old joins St Andrew's after making 178 appearances in four and a half years for the team presently led by Jose Mourinho, after leaving Queens Park Rangers in January 2021.

As the Blues get ready to return to the second division after winning League One last season, Osayi-Samuel, who can play as a right-back, wing-back, and winger, becomes their fourth acquisition this week after Demarai Grey, Tommy Doyle, and James Beadle.

Sunderland Complete Signing of Noah Sadiki From Union SG

Sunderland signed DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract worth an estimated £15 million.

Sadiki has made 108 appearances for Union since coming from Anderlecht in 2023, helping the club win the Belgian title last season.

The Brussels-born midfielder, who can also play defence, represented Belgium at youth level before switching allegiance to DR Congo and making his senior international debut in 2024.

Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 Kicks Off in Morocco

The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is ready to begin, with Morocco hosting the finals for the second time in a row.

The tournament, which was postponed a year due to scheduling concerns, begins on Saturday with the hosts taking on Zambia at Rabat's Olympic Stadium (20:00 GMT).

Listeners to the World Service in Africa will be able to hear live radio commentary of that game, the group stage match between Mali and Tanzania, both semi-finals and the final.

Following the first game, there will be a group stage that lasts until Monday, July 14, with at least two games per day.

The final is scheduled to begin at 20:00 GMT on Saturday, July 26.

The overall prize pool has grown by 45% to $3.475 million, while the Confederation of African Football has doubled the prize money for the winners, who will now get $1 million.

Teams in participation: 

Group A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo.

Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana.

Group C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania.