Weekly Wrap-Up: African Athletes Shine in Swimming, Netball, Marathon, and Football

Welcome to this week’s roundup, brought to you by ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit! 

As always, we’re here to celebrate the remarkable achievements of African athletes on the global stage. This week’s highlights span across swimming, netball, marathon running, and football, where our athletes have demonstrated excellence, resilience, and national pride. 

Swimming World Cup: African Athletes Make Waves

The Swimming World Cup concluded with a fantastic showing for South African swimmers, particularly Pieter Coetze, who emerged as the continent’s top competitor. The World Cup tour brought swimmers to three major cities, and at each stop, Coetze showed up with unparalleled consistency in the backstroke events. His winning streak in the 100m and 200m backstroke events crowned him the best in these categories for the entire World Cup series. Starting with the first stop in Shanghai, Pieter Coetze claimed two gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke events. This achievement was particularly impressive as it marked his return to international competition this season, and he set the tone with fierce swims. 

Alongside Coetze, South Africa’s seasoned Olympian Chad le Clos contributed with silver in the 200m butterfly and a bronze in the 100m butterfly. 

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Rebecca Meder also made waves, bringing home three bronze medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m medley. This first stop set the bar high for African swimmers and placed South Africa on the medal table with nine medals.

The second stop in Incheon saw Coetze take his swimming to new heights, clinching three gold medals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events. 

Not only did he sweep these events, but he also broke his own African record in the 50m backstroke with a time of 22.80 seconds. This record-breaking swim demonstrated Coetze’s ability to push his limits and reset his personal best on the world stage. He rounded out his performance in Incheon with a bronze in the 100m freestyle, showing versatility in various strokes and distances.

By the third and final stop, Coetze had solidified his place as the best backstroke athlete in the World Cup series. He claimed yet another gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events, making him the only swimmer in these events to achieve a clean sweep across all three stops. 

With seven gold medals, two silvers, and two bronzes, Coetze closed out the tour as a world-class athlete, embodying South Africa’s growing strength in competitive swimming. 

Chad le Clos wrapped up his campaign with four medals in total, including his own gold, while Rebecca Meder’s three bronzes from Shanghai added to the impressive medal haul. 

South Africa concluded the series with a total of 18 medals: eight golds, four silvers, and six bronzes—a testament to Africa’s growing presence in global swimming.

Netball: South Africa Wins SPAR Challenge Series

The SPAR Proteas dominated the SPAR Challenge netball series against Malawi, concluding the series with a powerful 3-0 clean sweep. 

The third and final test at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg saw South Africa’s team at its best, winning with an astounding 69-24 scoreline. 

This marked their largest margin of victory for the series, emphasizing the Proteas’ skill, strategy, and unity on the court.

The series, hosted by the City of Johannesburg, brought out fans and supporters who watched the Proteas display their dominance. 

South Africa’s performances were well-rounded, with players excelling in various roles. 

Refiloe Nketsa was named the Most Valuable Player of the series, showing her adaptability and skill in pivotal moments. 

Elmeré van Berg, who was recognized as the Best Shooter, delivered consistently accurate and high-scoring performances. 

Malawi’s Thandie Galeta, named Best Centre, showcased her playmaking abilities, proving that Malawi is also developing formidable talent. 

On the defensive end, Karla Pretorius’ performance earned her the Best Defender award, while Kamogelo Maseko was named Player of the Tournament, capping off her memorable series with this recognition. 

These honors added to the success of the Proteas, who demonstrated teamwork and technical excellence throughout the series.

New York City Marathon: Kenya’s Strong Showing

In the world of marathon running, Kenyan athletes once again proved their dominance at the New York City Marathon, one of the most prestigious and challenging marathon events. 

In the men’s race, Abdi Nageeye from the Netherlands clinched victory in a dramatic finish, pulling ahead of Kenya’s Evans Chebet in the final stretch. 

Chebet’s second-place finish,  showed his resilience and ability to compete with top international runners. 

His compatriot, Albert Korir, finished closely behind in third place, adding to Kenya’s strong showing in the men’s race. 

Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who set the course record last year, finished fourth, rounding out an impressive lineup of East African talent.

The women’s race was equally thrilling, with Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya taking the title in her New York City Marathon debut. 

Chepkirui’s strategic approach and powerful finishing kick saw her outpace defending champion Hellen Obiri, who finished second. Vivian Cheruiyot, also from Kenya, claimed third, making it an all-Kenyan podium sweep. 

This race not only highlighted Kenya’s prowess in long-distance running but also solidified the country’s legacy in marathon events. 

The marathon’s competitive field and challenging course conditions made the performances of Chebet, Chepkirui, Obiri, and Cheruiyot all the more impressive, reflecting the dedication and endurance required to succeed at this level.

Football: Zambia Edges Out South Africa in COSAFA Women’s Championship

The COSAFA Women’s Championship final between Zambia and South Africa ended in a tense showdown, with Zambia emerging victorious after a dramatic penalty shootout. 

The match was intensely contested, with both teams unable to break the deadlock during regular and extra time, resulting in a 0-0 scoreline. In the penalty shootout, Zambia triumphed 4-3, silencing the home crowd at Wolfson Stadium and securing the championship title.

South Africa’s goalkeeper, Jessica Williams, was awarded the Golden Award for her exceptional performances throughout the tournament, solidifying her reputation as one of Africa’s top keepers.

 Zambia’s Copper Queens also took home the Fair Play Award for their sportsmanship, while players Ochumba Lubanji and Fridah Mukoma shared the Golden Boot, highlighting their impressive goal-scoring abilities. 

This final match, filled with tension and high stakes, was a fitting end to a tournament that showcased the talent and passion of women’s football in Africa.

Looking Ahead

There’s much to look forward to in African sports as new events get underway. On November 8th, the Motsepe Foundation Championship resumes with Matchday 10 of 30, concluding on November 10th. Fans can stay tuned to our match center for all the latest fixtures and results.

The CAF Women’s Champions League kicks off on November 9th, bringing together Africa’s top women’s club teams for a thrilling competition that will run until November 23rd. 

In rugby, the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s 2024 campaign will take place over the weekend from November 9th to 10th, promising an exciting showcase of speed and skill. 

Netball fans are also in for a treat with the Fast 5’s tournament, where South Africa and Uganda will represent Africa on the international stage. Be sure to download the Podium Pursuit app to predict winners and earn rewards.

On November 10th, the Springboks will take on Scotland in the first match of the Rugby Championships 2024, kicking off an exciting new season. 

For all the latest news, real-time scores, and event coverage, download the Podium Pursuit app and stay updated on Africa’s best athletes as they compete at the highest levels.

With these upcoming events and the outstanding achievements of African athletes from this past week, it’s clear that Africa’s sporting excellence continues to shine on the global stage. 

Download the Podium Pursuit app and stay connected for all the latest updates and live coverage as we celebrate Africa’s accomplishments.

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PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-led and Sports Tech business founded in 2016 with a focus on enabling African Athletes to perform on the World Stage.

It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues, and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes in 2024 by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans, and the brands that support them.