Weekly African Sports Roundup: Dominance, Drama, and Determination

This week, Africa’s sporting talent was on full display, with record-breaking achievements, fierce competition, and moments of pride. From standout marathon performances in Marrakech to African dominance on the rugby and athletics stages, here are the key highlights celebrating the best of African sports.

Marathon Glory in Marrakech
The 2025 Marrakech International Marathon delivered spectacular results, with Kenya’s Alfonce Kibiwott Kigen and Ethiopia’s Beyene Tirfi Tsegaye emerging victorious. Kigen showcased his incredible endurance and tactical brilliance, breaking away at the 20km mark to clock a personal best time of 2:08:48. His triumph comes on the heels of his 2023 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon win, cementing his place as a long-distance running star. Moroccan athletes Soufiyane Bouquantar and Omar Aït Chitachen claimed second and third place, both setting personal bests of 2:09:13 and 2:09:25, respectively, in a race that celebrated Morocco’s rich running tradition.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tsegaye was unstoppable, crossing the finish line in a commanding time of 2:25:44. She was followed by Morocco’s Oumaïma Saoud, who took second place with a time of 2:29:51, and Ethiopia’s Bekele Abebech, who clinched third in 2:30:39. The half-marathon events were equally competitive, with Morocco’s Aziz Aitourika winning the men’s race in 1:01:35, narrowly edging out Kenya’s Leonard Kipkoech Langat, who finished in 1:01:38. The women’s half-marathon saw Violah Jepchumba, a Bahraini athlete of Kenyan origin, dominate with a time of 1:10:42, followed by Moroccans Kawiar Khahaaz (1:11:31) and Nezha Mchrouh (1:11:59).

African Athletes Excel at Astana World Indoor Tour
African athletes delivered stellar performances at the Astana World Athletics Indoor Gold Tour, with Ethiopian runners taking center stage. In the women’s 3000m short track, Marta Alemayo secured gold in a dazzling performance, leading an all-Ethiopian podium. Shito Gumi claimed silver, and Axumawit Embaye rounded out the top three with bronze, showcasing Ethiopia’s dominance in long-distance events.

The men’s events also brought pride to Africa. Ethiopian Abdulkerim Teki sprinted to a silver medal in the 1500m short track, a race that pushed the limits of endurance and precision. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie added to the celebrations by clinching bronze in the men’s 400m short track final. These incredible performances reflect the unwavering determination of African athletes to remain at the forefront of global athletics.

Blitzboks Shine, Shujaa Fight Hard at Perth Sevens
The Perth Sevens saw spirited efforts from Africa’s rugby giants. South Africa’s Blitzboks reached the semifinals in a dramatic campaign that had fans on the edge of their seats. In their semifinal clash against host nation Australia, the Blitzboks showcased incredible grit and determination. Selvyn Davids scored two tries to give South Africa a 12-7 lead, but in a nail-biting extra-time finish, Australia snatched victory with a try from Aden Ekanayake to end the game 17-12. Despite the heartbreak, the Blitzboks’ resilience and teamwork were a source of pride for fans back home.

Kenya’s Shujaa also displayed commendable skill, finishing 10th in the tournament. Their campaign included two hard-fought matches against New Zealand. In the 9th-place final, Shujaa held a 12-7 halftime lead, thanks to tries from Patrick Odongo and Vincent Onyala, but a strong New Zealand comeback saw the game end 19-12 in favor of the Kiwis. The Kenyan team’s passion and determination throughout the tournament remain an inspiration to rugby fans across the continent.

Photo:@BlitzbokkeIG

Cycling Success at the Tour Down Under
Eritrea’s cycling stars Natnael Tesfazion and Henok Mulubrhan continued to shine on the global stage at the Tour Down Under. Tesfazion showcased remarkable consistency, finishing 19th in the General Classification, while Mulubrhan delivered a standout Top 15 finish on Stage 4. Representing Movistar and XDS Astana teams, respectively, both riders displayed exceptional resilience and determination throughout the grueling stages. Their performances once again highlighted Eritrea’s growing reputation as a hub for world-class cycling talent.

Celebrating Excellence at the ASA Awards
South Africa’s athletics community gathered to celebrate its brightest stars at the annual Athletics South Africa (ASA) Awards. Akani Simbine, one of Africa’s premier sprinters, stole the spotlight with two major honors: ASA Male Athlete of the Year and Male Track Athlete of the Year. Prudence Sekgodiso was named ASA Athlete Personality of the Year, while Tumi Ramokgopa and Njabulo Mbatha were recognized as Rising Stars of the Year for their exceptional promise.

Other notable winners included Jo-ane Van Dyk, crowned ASA Female Athlete of the Year, and Victor Hogan, who earned the ASA Male Field Athlete of the Year title. Rogail Joseph and Elroy Gelant also took home awards for their standout track and road performances, while Mpumelelo Mhlongo and Simone Kruger were celebrated for their achievements in the para-athletics category. The ASA Awards highlighted South Africa’s enduring strength in global athletics.

Photo: @ASAAwards

Excitement Builds with CAF AFCON Draw
The road to continental glory is officially underway as CAF revealed the official draw pots for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Pot 1 includes African powerhouses Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, setting the stage for a thrilling competition. Meanwhile, South Africa, Tunisia, and Cameroon headline Pot 2, ensuring exciting clashes across all groups.

Fans across Africa are buzzing with anticipation as the tournament promises to deliver world-class football and unforgettable moments. Be sure to stay connected with all the action and updates through the Podium Pursuit App, where you can track fixtures, predict winners, and celebrate the road to AFCON glory.

Photo: @CAFOnline

From record-breaking marathon wins to electrifying rugby battles and standout performances in athletics and cycling, Africa’s athletes continue to inspire with their passion and determination. These stories are a testament to the continent’s unrelenting spirit and drive to excel on the global stage. To stay updated on all the latest African sporting results, fixtures, and stats, download the Podium Pursuit App—your ultimate companion for all things African sports!

Brought to you by

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.