分类： sports

South Africa’s aspirations to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been severely compromised following a ruling by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. The committee found that the South African national team violated competition regulations by fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March. Mokoena, a 28-year-old midfielder, was supposed to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches. As a consequence, FIFA has imposed a 3-0 forfeit on South Africa, fined the South African Football Association (Safa) 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,500), and issued a warning to Mokoena. This decision has dramatically reshaped the standings in Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers. South Africa, previously leading the group, has now dropped to second place, trailing Benin on goal difference. The outcome has also reignited the hopes of Nigeria and Rwanda, who are now just three points behind the top two teams. With the final rounds of qualifiers scheduled for October 10-14, Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria, while South Africa will play Zimbabwe and host Rwanda. Safa has a 10-day window to appeal FIFA’s decision, but the road to the World Cup has undoubtedly become more challenging for Bafana Bafana.

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba has embarked on a new venture in the world of electric powerboat racing as a team owner in the E1 Series, the first all-electric international powerboat competition. Alongside global icons like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Virat Kohli, Rafael Nadal, and actor Will Smith, Drogba is part of an elite group of investors driving this innovative sport. The E1 Series, which debuted last year, is set to make its first African stop in Lagos, Nigeria, on 4-5 October. Drogba emphasized the importance of showcasing African culture and history through this event, describing Lagos as a vibrant and fitting host city. Gabrielle Lemaire, Drogba’s partner and co-investor, highlighted the opportunity to advocate for sustainability and inspire young people, particularly women, to engage in sports and environmental awareness. The E1 Series aims to promote gender equality, with each team comprising one male and one female pilot. The competition has already visited prestigious locations such as Venice, Monaco, and Lake Como, with Miami scheduled to conclude the season. Drogba’s team includes British powerboat champion Oban Duncan and Olympic sailing bronze medalist Micah Wilkinson. Despite his illustrious football career, Drogba has chosen not to pursue coaching, instead applying the leadership skills he learned from former managers and teammates to his new role in E1. The rivalry among the star-studded team owners extends beyond the water, with Drogba humorously noting the competitive banter in their WhatsApp group. The E1 Series aspires to rival motorsport giants like Formula 1 and Formula E, with organizers targeting a valuation of £500 million ($675 million) within five years. Drogba also expressed his desire to bring the race to his home country, Ivory Coast, with Abidjan as a potential venue, citing its suitability and the success of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.

KIGALI, Rwanda — In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, Tadej Pogacar claimed his second consecutive world road cycling championship on Sunday. The Slovenian cyclist, already a four-time Tour de France winner, showcased his dominance in the men’s elite road race, finishing comfortably ahead of Remco Evenepoel, the reigning time-trial champion. This victory adds to Pogacar’s growing legacy in the sport, following his triumph in Switzerland last year. The event also celebrated significant achievements in women’s cycling, with Magdeleine Vallieres Mill of Canada securing the women’s road race title on Saturday, and Marlen Reusser taking home the women’s time-trial victory. This year’s championships in Rwanda marked a historic milestone as the first time the event was held in Africa in its 104-year history, underscoring the global expansion and inclusivity of the sport.

In a historic performance, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu led South Africa to a resounding 67-30 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship, setting a new national record for points scored in a Test match. The 23-year-old fly-half amassed an impressive 37 points, surpassing Percy Montgomery’s previous record of 35 points set in 2007. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s stellar performance included three tries, eight conversions, and two penalties, cementing his place as a rising star in South African rugby. The match, held in Durban, saw the Springboks take a one-point lead at the top of the Rugby Championship table, following New Zealand’s earlier win over Australia. The first half was tightly contested, with South Africa leading by just two points at halftime. However, the Springboks surged ahead in the second half, with tries from Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Morne van den Berg, and Manie Libbok, thrilling the 45,000-strong crowd. South Africa now looks ahead to their final match against Argentina at Twickenham on October 4, where a bonus-point win could secure their third Rugby Championship title in its current format. However, the Springboks will also claim the championship if Australia defeats New Zealand in their upcoming clash. ‘This was a vibe. I am very happy,’ Feinberg-Mngomezulu remarked after the game, reflecting on his record-breaking performance and the team’s collective effort.

The Ghanaian government has imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on all boxing activities following the tragic death of super-middleweight boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali. The 32-year-old fighter passed away on Tuesday, just 11 days after his bout against Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on September 12. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest it may be linked to internal injuries sustained during the match. This incident marks the second fatality in Ghana’s boxing scene within six months, raising urgent concerns about safety standards in the sport. In March, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed during a fight against Ghanaian opponent Jon Mbanugu in Accra and died shortly after being hospitalized. In response to these tragedies, the National Sports Authority has described the suspension as a ‘necessary step’ to ‘protect lives, uphold the integrity of the sport, and ensure its future.’ Authorities have also unveiled a five-year strategy aimed at implementing safer, more professional, and globally-aligned standards for boxing. Ghana has a rich boxing heritage, having produced world-renowned champions such as Azumah Nelson, and the sport enjoys widespread popularity across the nation. However, these recent deaths have reignited critical discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures and regulatory reforms.

In a groundbreaking moment for African sports, Rwanda is hosting the Road Cycling World Championships for the first time in the event’s 104-year history. The championships, held in Kigali, have drawn elite cyclists from around the globe, including Uganda’s Ronald Yiga, who sees this as a pivotal opportunity to elevate cycling’s profile across the continent. Yiga, a 32-year-old cellphone repairer turned cyclist, began riding during the COVID-19 pandemic and now dreams of racing alongside his idol, Tadej Pogačar, the reigning world champion and Tour de France winner. For Yiga and his teammates from the Fun Cycling Club, this event is more than a competition—it’s a chance to showcase African talent and inspire a new generation of riders. Despite racing on vintage bikes compared to the high-end equipment of professionals, African cyclists remain undeterred, driven by the hope of attracting sponsors and advancing their careers. Jacques Landry, director of the World Cycling Center, believes the championships could mark a turning point for cycling in Africa, igniting interest and investment in the sport. Rwanda’s investment in cycling infrastructure and its ambition to become a global sports hub have been met with enthusiasm, though critics accuse the government of using high-profile events to divert attention from human rights concerns. Nonetheless, the event has united communities, with thousands of fans lining the hills of Kigali to cheer on riders, symbolizing a shared pride in Africa’s sporting potential.

The world of athletics is mourning the untimely death of Ethiopian marathon star Shewarge Alene, who passed away at the age of 30. The tragic news was confirmed by the organizers of the Stockholm Marathon, where Alene had claimed victory in May 2025, marking her most recent competitive triumph. Alene, who had been a professional marathon runner since 2011, participated in 27 marathons over her illustrious career, securing an impressive 12 wins. Her personal best time of 2:27:26 was achieved in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2023. The Stockholm Marathon team expressed their grief on Instagram, stating, ‘It is with deep sorrow that we have received the news of the passing of Shewarge Alene, winner of adidas Stockholm Marathon 2025. Shewarge Alene became unwell during a training session and was taken to hospital, where sadly, her life could not be saved. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.’ Alene’s sudden demise has left the global running community in shock, as they remember her remarkable contributions to the sport.