SPORT - The African Mirror

Mar

14

2025

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONQUERED: South Africa’s Triumph at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

SPORT

THE ice rink glowed like a diamond under the dazzling lights of Turin's Palavela arena. Six athletes from a land where winter sports were as foreign as snow in the Karoo stood poised at the edge, their green and gold uniforms blazing against the pristine white surface. The crowd fell silent as South African Naledi Hlalele glided to the centre of the rink, her face a canvas of determination and joy. No one expected the magic that was about to unfold. Naledi's figure skating routine began with a gentle sway, but soon exploded into a series of jumps and spins…

Mar

13

2025

By Mpho Rantao

SA’s Prudence Sekgodiso cruises to 800m win at ASA Grand Prix

ATHLETICS

SOUTH Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso claimed a smooth win in the 800m race on day one of the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix at the Pilditch Stadium in the South African capital, Pretoria. The 2024 Paris Olympics finalist secured the win in an unofficial time of 1:59.01, ahead of Botswana’s Oratilwe Nowe with a time of 1:59.46, and fellow South African Charne Swart, who completed the podium with a time of 2:01.57. Nowe set the pace early on in the race with Sekgodiso matching her pace until she surpassed her after the 600m mark, when she took the lead when…

Mar

13

2025

By The African Mirror

The Builder of Dreams: Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s vision for African football

FOOTBALL

THE sun cast long shadows across the Cairo conference hall as Dr Patrice Motsepe stood before the assembly, his eyes alight with the fire of ambition that had carried him from South African mines to the pinnacle of African football. The 63-year-old mining magnate, freshly re-elected as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), surveyed the room filled with delegates who had unanimously endorsed his leadership for a second term. He sees a continent transformed, he declared, his voice resonating with conviction. Motsepe said he saw Africa as one massive construction site, where the foundations of greatness are being…

Mar

03

2025

By The African Mirror

Benni McCarthy: From South African Trailblazer to Kenya’s New Hope

SPORT

IN the vibrant landscape of African football, few figures shine as brightly as Benni McCarthy. Now, at 47, the South African legend has embarked on a new chapter, taking the reins as Kenya's national coach - a nation hungry for football glory after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. McCarthy's journey is the stuff of footballing folklore. At just 17, he carried the weight of South African hopes on his young shoulders, eventually becoming the only South African to lift the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy with Porto in 2004 under José Mourinho's guidance. His goal-scoring prowess…

Mar

02

2025

By The African Mirror

The champions among us: A special send-off to remember

SPORT

THE morning sun cast golden rays across the courtyard where they gathered - athletes with extraordinary hearts, their families with proud tears, coaches with unwavering belief, and supporters whose faith had never faltered. The air hummed with anticipation as the African Bank, sponsors of one of South Africa's national teams prepared to honour and send off a team of its finest ambassadors to the world stage. They stood in formation, these remarkable athletes, their team uniforms crisp and vibrant with the colors of their nation. Each face told a story of perseverance - of dawn training sessions when the world…

Feb

22

2025

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird’s African Basketball Roundup

BASKETBALL

FORMER Toronto Raptors player, Bruno Fernando is joining Spanish basketball giants, Real Madrid, Uganda’s Gazelles take down defending regional champions Egypt to qualify for the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2025 and Nigerian American Chiney Ogwumike is named the BAL’s first female ambassador. Here's your roundup of African Basketball News from commentator, analyst and former national captain, Silalei Shani. Spanish basketball giants, Real Madrid, have signed Angolan centre Bruno Fernando on a one-year deal to add volume to their interior rotation, hoping to break what has been one of the club’s worst seasons in recent memory. The team currently sits in eighth…

Feb

18

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NBA commissioner pays tribute to Dikembe Mutombo with announcement of annual award

BASKETBALL

THE NBA on Saturday (February 15) announced the creation of the NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, an annual honour recognizing individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to health, education, and economic opportunity in Africa. The creation of the award solidifies the basketball icon’s legacy as a global humanitarian whose impact transcended sports, ensuring that his lifelong mission of empowering African communities continues for generations. “Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver when announcing the award at the organisation's 10th annual All-Star…

Feb

17

2025

By The African Mirror

The story of 49 seconds: a testament to African athletic brilliance

ATHLETICS

ON a historic Sunday in Barcelona, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo didn't just break a record – he shattered it with a performance that echoes the heartbeat of African athletic dominance. Each of the 49 seconds he carved from the previous world half-marathon record represents a story of excellence, dedication, and the unmatched spirit of African distance running. In an astounding time of 56:41, Kiplimo rewrote history, demolishing Yomif Kejelcha's mark of 57:30. This wasn't merely a victory; it was a masterclass in human potential. His feat becomes even more remarkable when you consider the progression of this record – from Moses…

Feb

12

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

European clubs deepen talent hunt in Africa with Real Madrid’s first SA academy

FOOTBALL

THE recent launch of Real Madrid’s first soccer academy in South Africa highlights the growing presence of European clubs in Africa as they seek to harness the continent’s rich football talent. According to Gift Enyadike, the project director of The Sports Apprentice, this move is part of a broader trend that has been unfolding across Africa over the past three decades. "Africa has been a bedrock of talent production for the European market over the last 30 years and establishing Academies, which sometimes gives them first access to talent in certain markets," he explained in an interview. Opened in January…

Feb

12

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa’s gaming market is expanding beyond traditional giants

SPORT, E-SPORTS

AFRICA’S gaming boom is no longer limited to its largest economies. Rising mobile penetration and a growing tech-savvy population are driving the emergence of unexpected gaming hubs like Eritrea and Niger, according to a new report. The report, an annual statistical analysis from Carry1st, a Web3 gaming publisher, and Newzoo, a provider of PC and console games market data and insights, reveals that Africa's gaming market is growing six times faster than the global average. According to ‍Carry1st CEO and Co-founder Cordel Robbin-Coker, with an estimated 32 million new gamers in 2024, the vast majority on mobile, “This new data…