SPORT - The African Mirror

Jun

09

2025

Tete Dijana, Gerda Steyn lead African charge at 2025 Comrades Marathon

ATHLETICS

SOUTH African athletes delivered a dominant performance at the 2025 Comrades Marathon, with Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn capturing the men’s and women’s titles respectively in a dramatic down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. Tete Dijana, running for the Nedbank Running Club, claimed his third Comrades Marathon crown, finishing in 5:25:28 after a gripping duel with Dutch defending champion Piet Wiersma. The Mahikeng native, who previously won in 2022 and 2023, surged ahead with 16 kilometres remaining and held off Wiersma by just five seconds in one of the closest finishes in recent memory. Dijana’s victory marks a…

Jun

07

2025

By The African Mirror

Champions Beyond the Court: A South African Dream takes flight

SPORT

THE energy is electric at SunBet Arena in Pretoria this June, but it's not just the roar of basketball fans that's making hearts race across South Africa. Something extraordinary is happening - a beautiful fusion of athletic excellence and human dignity that's painting the sporting world in brilliant new colours. In the rainbow nation where dreams refuse to be dimmed by circumstance, two remarkable champions are about to make history. Naledi Hlalele and Tyrell Sykes, both Special Olympics World Games medallists, are stepping into roles that will forever change how we think about inclusion in professional sports. From June 4-11,…

Jun

05

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa is pedaling a continental dream

SPORT

RIDERS disappear into clouds of Karoo dust as the midday sun bears down on the gravel plains. There’s no tarmac here, no roar of city traffic, just the crunch of wheels over gravel and the occasional call of a marshal echoing across the desert. This is the Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race, a two-day endurance challenge through South Africa’s Tankwa Karoo, a harsh, otherworldly landscape that tests riders’ resolve as much as their speed. But more than just a local event, Tanqua Kuru is part of a continental moment. Once limited to remote rides, cycling is gaining new ground across Africa,…

Jun

05

2025

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Swimming crusader returned to Africa to save lives. Now he’s building an Olympic team

SPORT

THE sun glinted off the rippling surface of the pool in Lagos, Nigeria. Busayo Adegbulugbe, 33, a paraplegic man whose powerful upper body and muscled arms have long propelled his wheelchair, perched on the edge. He stretched and steadied himself on the deck. Years of pushing his wheelchair would now offer him the strength required to propel him through the water. But strength would not be enough if he were not ready to take the plunge. "Are you ready?" yelled Emeka Chuks-Nnadi, founder of Swim in 1 Day, from the pool. "Action!" Adegbulugbe obliged and plunged in. The water swallowed…

Jun

03

2025

By The African Mirror

Star-studded entertainment lineup set to electrify Basketball Africa League playoffs in Pretoria

BASKETBALL

THE Basketball Africa League has assembled an all-star entertainment roster featuring South Africa's biggest music acts to headline halftime performances during the 2025 BAL Playoffs and Finals at SunBet Arena from June 6-14. Multi-platinum rapper Cassper Nyovest will kick off the festivities on opening night, performing during Friday's high-stakes seeding game between Al Ahli Tripoli and Al Ittihad at 7:00 p.m. The Libyan squad, anchored by former NBA guard Jaylen Adams, faces Egypt's Al Ittihad, led by ex-NBA forward George King, in what promises to be an explosive opener both on and off the court. The entertainment firepower doesn't stop…

May

28

2025

By The African Mirror

The bright future of South African 100m sprinting: a new era dawns

ATHLETICS

SOUTH Africa’s sprinting scene is blazing with unprecedented brilliance, heralding a golden era in the 100m dash that promises to captivate the world for years to come. At the heart of this electrifying momentum is none other than Akani Simbine, the nation’s sprinting titan, whose recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. Akani Simbine continues to dominate the 100m sprint with an ironclad grip on the title of South Africa’s fastest man. Remaining unbeaten this season, Simbine has consistently shattered the sub-10-second barrier, a feat that cements his status among the global elite. His latest victory at the prestigious…

May

27

2025

By The African Mirror

BAL PLAYOFFS SET: Al Ahli dominates, APR survives thriller to complete eight-team field

BASKETBALL

THE Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs field is officially complete after two contrasting semifinal battles that showcased both dominant execution and clutch-time heroics, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying championship tournament at SunBet Arena. Al Ahli Tripoli delivered a masterclass in offensive efficiency, dismantling South Africa's MBB 102-73 in a performance that announced their arrival as legitimate title contenders. Meanwhile, APR of Rwanda survived a white-knuckle thriller against Kenya's Nairobi City Thunder, escaping with a 77-74 victory that came down to the final seconds and a spectacular three-pointer that will be replayed for years to come.…

May

25

2025

By The African Mirror

Norris triumphs in a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix as McLaren dominates scenic streets

MOTORSPORT

THE glittering streets of Monte Carlo once again played host to the most scenic and prestigious race on the Formula 1 calendar - the Monaco Grand Prix - where McLaren's dominance shone brightly under the Mediterranean sun. In a masterclass of skill and strategy, Lando Norris converted his pole position into a stunning victory, fending off fierce challenges from local hero Charles Leclerc and his own McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to claim his second win of the 2025 season. From the very first corner at Sainte Devote, Norris survived a heart-stopping lock-up but held firm to maintain the lead, setting…

May

24

2025

By The African Mirror

Al Ahli Tripoli secures BAL playoffs berth with commanding victory over Thunder

BASKETBALL

IN a scintillating display of offensive firepower at the BK Arena, Al Ahli Tripoli delivered a statement performance that reverberated throughout the Basketball Africa League, dismantling Nairobi City Thunder 104-91 to punch their ticket to the 2025 BAL Playoffs with authority. The Libyan powerhouse showcased the depth and versatility that has made them the most feared team in the Nile Conference, with five players reaching double figures in a balanced offensive assault that left Thunder scrambling for answers. This emphatic victory marked Al Ahli's fourth consecutive triumph, cementing their position as conference champions and earning them a coveted spot among…

May

18

2025

By The African Mirror

Amajita Triumph: South Africa’s U-20 heroes make history with first ever continental crown in Egypt

FOOTBALL

SOUTH Africa’s U-20 men’s national football team, affectionately known as Amajita, has made history by winning the country’s first-ever continental title at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt. This landmark victory signals a bright future for South African men's football, showcasing a new generation of talent ready to shine on the African and global stage. In a thrilling final against Morocco, Amajita triumphed 1-0 thanks to a spectacular goal from Gomolemo Kekana. His strike from outside the 18-yard box was a moment of pure brilliance that sealed the win and ignited celebrations among the…