SPORT - The African Mirror

Jan

28

2025

A Desert Symphony: AFCON 2025 brings football magic to Morocco

FOOTBALL

THE ancient medinas of Morocco are stirring with new energy as the nation prepares to host Africa's greatest football spectacle. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations promises to transform Morocco's December festive season into an unprecedented celebration of sport and culture, where the rhythmic beats of Gnawa music will blend with the roars of passionate fans. In Rabat's historic streets, where modern architecture meets timeless tradition, hosts Morocco will launch their campaign against the Comoros Islands on December 21. The majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca will stand witness to epic battles, its towering minaret overlooking a city pulsing with…

Jan

28

2025

By The African Mirror

Aliou Cissé: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations requires special preparation”

FOOTBALL

FROM a losing finalist in 2002 to a victorious strategist at the 2021 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Aliou Cissé's story with Africa's most prestigious competition is a true tale of perseverance and success. In this interview, the former Senegal captain and coach shares his unreserved view of this key event and analyses the ambitions of the Lions of Teranga for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 in Morocco. CAFOnline.com: You have been designated to attend the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025. How do you feel about this responsibility?Aliou Cissé: It's an experience that I've…

Jan

28

2025

By The African Mirror

CAF and Morocco LOC announce Host Cities and Venues for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025

FOOTBALL

THE Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) together with Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and the Local Organizing Committee of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 have announced the cities that will host matches in the competition. Six cities and nine stadiums have been selected for Africa’s flagship football tournament, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. They are Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier. Host Cities and Stadiums: Host CityStadium NameCapacityRabatComplexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah69 500RabatStade Al Barid18 000RabatStade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah 21 000RabatComplexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay EL Hassan22 000CasablancaComplexe Sportif Mohammed V45 000AgadirGrand Stade d’Agadir41 144MarrakechGrand…

Jan

23

2025

By The African Mirror

The Red Dawn: Hamilton’s Ferrari Awakening

MOTORSPORT

IN the misty dawn at Fiorano, history whispered through the fog. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, approached the gleaming red SF-23 – his first Ferrari. The timing sheets would show 30 laps across three runs, but numbers couldn't capture the weight of this moment. "When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face," Hamilton told TheRace.com, his eyes bright with an enthusiasm that belied his two decades in Formula 1. "It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car." Stepping into a new…

Jan

23

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO

Nigeria’s junior women’s cricketers shine as grassroots efforts pay off at ICC U-19 T20 World Cup

SPORT

NIGERIA’S U-19 Women’s T20 cricket team has stunned the cricketing world with a two-run victory over New Zealand in their first-ever completed ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup match. According to the sport’s commentators, this triumph is a historic moment for ‘the Junior Female Yellow Greens cricket,’ proving that they are ready to compete on the world stage. “We are here to announce ourselves to the world and make Nigeria proud," Akpata said in an X post on the Nigeria Cricket Federation page, after the victory. Nigeria’s journey to victory against the Kiwis has been exhilarating, despite limited match experience.…

Jan

22

2025

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

BAL Combine ’25, Kenya preparations and Rwanda’s Super Cup kick off the new year

BASKETBALL

JANUARY began with a bang for continental basketball as the Basketball Africa League (BAL) held its annual Combine bringing 30 players from Africa, Europe, and the U.S. with the aim of feeding the players into the teams participating in the BAL 2025 season. Hosted in Rabat, Morocco, the premiere talent-scouting event took place from January 10th-12th at the Ibn Yassine Sports Hall and featured anthropometric and athletic testing, positional skill development, as well as 5-on 5 games in front of team executives, coaches and scouts. This format not only allowed players to highlight their unique strengths but also gave the…

Jan

20

2025

By Mpho Rantao

Saudi’s Yazeed al Rajhi claims historic win at the 2025 Dakar Rally

MOTORSPORT

IN a rally race that was filled with shocking exits and sensational wins, Overdrive Racing’s Yazeed al Rajhi took the major crown as the winner of the Dakar Rally in his home country of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside co-driver Timo Gottschalk. The Dakar Rally is an annual, gruelling off-road endurance race that takes place in 12 stages over several days, covering thousands of kilometres across challenging terrains such as deserts, mountains, and rocky paths. It moved to Saudi Arabia from South America, which hosted the race after its namesake city in Sudan. Saudi's Al Rahji, 43, took the…

Jan

19

2025

By The African Mirror

Cricket’s future: Africa’s women take the stage

SPORT

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) welcomes the second edition of the Women’s World Cup. South Africa and Nigeria represent Africa in the 2025 Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup with the former returning as defending champions. Thailand and Malaysia jointly host the tournament for emerging stars. 16 teams are split across four groups in the opening stage of the tournament. 41 matches will be played over a 16-day period before moving to the knockout rounds. South Africa Squad: Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simoné Lourens, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlakan,…

Jan

17

2025

By Jovial Rantao

DIALLO’S DIVINE DOZEN: Ivorian’s 12-minute hat-trick rescues United from Saints shock”

FOOTBALL

ON a night when Manchester United seemed destined for humiliation, two African stars wrote their names into Old Trafford folklore. The stage belonged to Amad Diallo, the diminutive Ivorian who transformed from right wing-back to goalscoring hero in a breathtaking 12-minute spell that will long live in the memory of the United faithful. With United trailing to Southampton – a team anchored at the bottom of the Premier League – it was first Andre Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who kept his team's hopes alive. His heroics included a spectacular double save, first denying Tyler Dibling's powerful strike before producing an…

Dec

19

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

How women e-gaming pioneers are navigating Africa’s growing esports landscape

SPORT, E-SPORTS

TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Magdaline Mumbi is living life in the fast lane. Both in real life and digitally as an e-sports gamer whole alias is Bambina. What once was a casual pastime opened up "a whole new world," for Mumbi. Everything changed for her in 2018, she explained. That year, a call to participate in Safaricom's Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) campaign transformed her perspective. “At the time, I didn’t realize eSports was a whole industry. But by 2020, I began transitioning into administrative roles and even represented the Kenya National Team at various competitions,” she shared in an interview with bird…