2024 was a year of sport for Africa. At the beginning of the year, the final of AFCON 2023 was played, with Ivory Coast defeating Nigeria 2-1 to win the trophy. Despite a poor start in the group stages and the dismissal of their coach, Ivory Coast made an incredible comeback under interim coach Emerse Fae. AFCON 2025 will be held in Morocco, and one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far was Ghana’s elimination after the group stage.
The Paris 2024 Olympics were a showcase for African athletes. Kenya led the continent’s medal table with 4 golds and 11 total medals, while Algeria secured 2 gold medals and South Africa and Ethiopia each won one. In total, African teams earned 38 medals. Beatrice Chebet stood out by winning gold in both the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m, helping Kenya top the African medal table.
Algerian teenager Kaylia Nemour made history by winning the continent’s first medal in artistic gymnastics, securing a stunning gold in the uneven bars. Meanwhile, Letsile Tebogo became Botswana’s first Olympic champion, setting a new continental record of 19.46 seconds to win gold in the men’s 200m.
In basketball, Nigeria’s women’s team reached the quarter-finals, while Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight division, sparking debates around gender eligibility. Despite recent findings showing Khelif has XY chromosomes, the athlete announced she would legally contest this issue. Additionally, many athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia were disqualified from the Olympics for doping violations, with 33 Kenyan athletes sanctioned by the Kenya Anti-Doping Agency.
At the Paralympics, Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili dominated with titles in F41 discus and shot put, while Algerian sprinter Skander Djamil Athmani won two golds. Nigerian Mariam Eniola Bolaji became the first African to win a Paralympic medal in badminton. Yovanni Philippe won Mauritius’ first-ever Paralympic medal, securing bronze in the men’s T20 400m.
In MMA, Cameroon’s Francis N’gannou triumphed at PFL Super Fights by defeating Renan Ferreira. Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made history by becoming the first black African to win a stage at the Tour de France and earned the green jersey for being the highest points scorer.
At the end of the year, Ademola Lookman was awarded CAF’s African Men’s Footballer of the Year. He finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Barbra Banda was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and was also recognized as Africa’s best female footballer. Al Ahly won the CAF Champions League, securing their 12th title.
In March, Ghana hosted the 2023 African Games. Chebet was one of six Kenyans who won Diamond League titles, while Ruth Chepngetich set a new women’s marathon world record in Chicago, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 57 seconds, almost two minutes faster than Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa’s previous record. Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha also set a new world record in the men’s half marathon in Valencia, clocking 57 minutes and 30 seconds.
In rugby, South Africa claimed the Rugby Championship for the first time in five years, with flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit being named World Rugby Player of the Year. However, South Africa’s cricket teams faced disappointment, with the men’s team losing to India by 7 runs, and the women’s team falling to New Zealand by 32 runs in the T20 World Cup finals.
In tennis, South African Kgothatso Montjane won the Wimbledon women’s wheelchair doubles title. Overall, African sport has made significant progress and development this year.