SPORT - The African Mirror

Apr

27

2025

Simbine Sizzles in Xiamen: South African star storms to Diamond League 100m Victory with sub-10 second run

SPORT

RIDING the momentum of his breakthrough global indoor medal, South African sprinter Akani Simbine stormed to victory in the 100m at the Diamond League season opener in Xiamen, China. Simbine, fresh off a bronze medal in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, proved his world-class pedigree once again by dominating a stacked field on Saturday. The 31-year-old surged ahead in the final metres, crossing the line in 9.99 seconds-making him the only man to dip under 10 seconds on the night. Kenyan star Ferdinand Omanyala finished second in 10.13s, with Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu third in…

Apr

24

2025

By The African Mirror

Tribute to Sinamandla Zondi: A Life Lived for the Beautiful Game

FOOTBALL

ON a rainy night at Chatsworth Stadium, South African football lost one of its brightest young stars. Sinamandla Zondi, known affectionately as "Sgora" to his teammates, friends, and fans, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after collapsing during the warm-up ahead of Durban City’s crucial match against Milford FC. He was just 22 years old—a defender whose passion for football was matched only by the impact he had on those around him. Sinamandla’s journey in professional football began in September 2021, when he made his debut for Durban City. Since then, he had become a regular fixture in the…

Apr

23

2025

By SILALEI SHANI

Basketball Roundup: Global Expansion in Africa, BAL Season 5, and Nigeria’s Reuben Chinyelu triumphs with NCAA title

BASKETBALL

THE world's top basketball organisation, FIBA, focused attention on growing the game across the African continent in April. Executives meeting in Rabar focused attention on the 2025 men's and women's AfroBasket tournaments, the Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) qualifiers, the Women’s Basketball League Africa and the ongoing growth of FIBA Africa’s 3x3 competitions. Reuben Chinyelu on media day. Photo Courtesy: Reuben Chinyelu The meetings brought together some of the most influential figures in African basketball, including FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave, Regional Director Dr. Alphonse Bilé, COO and Deputy Regional Director Julien Farran, and Executive Committee Members Samuel Ahmedu,…

Apr

12

2025

By Mpho Rantao

The Sublime Symphony of Speed: Wehrlein’s Miami Masterpiece

MOTORSPORT

UNDER the scorching Florida sun, where the ocean breeze met the electric roar of Formula E, Pascal Wehrlein carved his name into history with a victory as dramatic as it was decisive. The 2025 Miami E-Prix was a high-voltage ballet of strategy, nerve, and raw speed - and when the dust settled, it was the Porsche maestro who stood tallest, his triumph a testament to precision under fire. From the moment the lights went out, the race was a chess match at 200 km/h. Norman Nato, the Nissan polesitter, bolted into an early lead, but the Porsche duo of Wehrlein…

Apr

10

2025

By The African Mirror

Photo essay: BAL Kalahari Conference

BASKETBALL, MULTIMEDIA

THE 2025 BAL Kalahari Conference in Morocco delivered a vibrant mix of thrilling basketball action and captivating entertainment. The event showcased the best of sport and culture, from legendary performances by Moroccan artists ElGrande Toto and Lazaro to dramatic comebacks and strategic plays on the court. Here's a visual recap of some of the most memorable moments from the second day of the conference.

Apr

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: Maswanganyi reveals how Akani Simbine helped shape his Olympic dream

ATHLETICS

THE team of Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Bradley Nkoana and Benjamin Richardson secured South Africa’s place in the men’s 4x100m relay finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics following their impressive qualifying season-best time of 38.08 at the World Relays in the Bahamas last May. Anchored by the class and experience of Simbine, South Africa was up against it in the final after booking their place with yet another impressive season-best time of 37.94 behind the United States of America (37.47) in the first heat. The North Americans would later be disqualified in the final, with neighbours Canada (37.50) beating South…

Apr

03

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa’s youth culture is having a moment as South Africa eyes global skate tournament

SPORT

SOUTH Africa's bid to host the 2028 World Skate Games — itself a testament to the growing popularity of skating both as a sport and as a culture — is finding support amongst a growing band of young Africans. Half a continent away, George Kweyu, a skating coach at the Kakamega Young Skaters Club which trains children to skate in western Kenya, said the bid announced the arrival of a movement on the continent. "The bid signals a shift, proving that African nations are no longer just (passive) participants in global skating sports," he explained. "The sport has come a…

Mar

31

2025

By The African Mirror

African Titans: Redefining the beautiful game worldwide

FOOTBALL

FROM the sun-baked pitches of Lagos to the floodlit arenas of Europe's elite leagues, a new generation of African footballers is rewriting the narrative of world football. These aren't just players - they are visionaries, architects of a new era, and carriers of legacies that stretch back through decades of exceptional African talent. Premier League: The African Heartbeat The English Premier League pulses with African excellence, where talent from across the continent has become indispensable to the league's most storied clubs. Mohamed Salah stands as Egyptian royalty at Liverpool, transforming from a promising talent to a global icon through sheer…

Mar

24

2025

By The African Mirror

SA TRACK SENSATION SEKGODISO STRIKES GOLD

SPORT

PRUDENCE Sekgodiso, a name now etched in South African sporting history, has delivered a seismic shockwave at the World Indoor Championships (WIC) in Nanjing 2025. In a display of sheer grit and determination, she stormed to victory in the 800m, claiming a historic gold medal that sent ripples of jubilation across the nation. Forgetting the predictions, Sekgodiso tore up the script, leaving the favoured Ethiopian runner Tsige Duguma, the Paris Olympic silver medallist and defending champion, trailing in her wake. The atmosphere from the Chinese crowd roared with disbelief as Sekgodiso, with a look of pure, unadulterated joy, crossed the…

Mar

24

2025

By SILALEI SHANI

African basketball roundup: South Sudan heartbreak, Maluach leads Duke, Nairobi City Thunder beef up

BASKETBALL

FORMER South Sudanese national team player, Dominik Philip passed away earlier this month at the age of 29. Philip, who was based in the USA at the time of his demise played four games for Bright Stars of South Sudan in the 2021 Afrobasket Pre-Qualifiers Zone 5 competition in January 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya, averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The 6’2 guard played college basketball for the Southwestern Christian University Eagles in Division One of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) and graduated in 2020. Last year, Dominik played for the Midtown Prestige in…