The most popular sports in Africa

Sport is an integral part of the African culture, and the continent has played its part in producing prominent sporting icons who have achieved success across the globe. The wide range of sports which Africans are taking part in across the continent makes the sphere a level playing ground for all sorts of different groups of people. In this article, we take a look at some of the most popular sports in Africa today:

1. Football: “Soccer” is by far the most popular sport in Africa. The continent has produced many talented players who have achieved international recognition, and African national teams frequently take part in the FIFA World Cup. Pelé once speculated that an African team would win the World Cup by the year 2000 and, while that didn’t come to pass, South Africa did host the prestigious competition in 2010, and Morocco went all the way to the semi-finals in 2022. The Africa Cup of Nations, equivalent to the European Championships or Copa America, also generates tremendous excitement and support among local fans, as well as millions of spectators overseas. Among the remarkable Africans who have plied their trade in the footballing world are Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto’o, and many more.
2. Athletics: Track and field events, including sprinting, long-distance running, and field events like long jump and high jump, have a long and star-studded history in Africa. Athletes from African countries have achieved great success at both continental and international levels, particularly in long-distance running events. African athletes consistently excel in terms of speed, strength, and stamina, allowing them to dominate the sport on a global scale. From Abebe Bikila winning the first Olympic gold to the sustained dominance of Ferdinand Omanyala, dozens of Africans have made an impact on the world of professional athletics, including Julius Yego, Caster Semenya, David Rudisha, and many more.
3. Rugby: South Africa is the most dominant nation in the region, but rugby is gaining popularity in several other African nations. The South African national rugby team, known as the Springboks, has achieved considerable success, including winning the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and 2019. Since then, the sport has grown locally, extending its popularity to other African countries like Kenya.
4. Basketball: Basketball has been growing in popularity across Africa, due in part to the high-profile success of African players in the United States’ NBA. The NBA Africa Game and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have helped promote the sport and provide opportunities for African players to showcase their skills. Meanwhile, basketball has grown in popularity in Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, among other African countries. Former NBA stars Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo are some of the most notable basketball players of African origin.
5. Cricket: Cricket is popular in a number of African countries, particularly in former British colonies such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. These countries have competed at the international level and produced many talented players, including AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, Barry Richards, Hashim Amla, Allan Donald and Dale Steyn, among others.
6. Boxing: the sport has a strong following in Africa, with several African boxers achieving global fame and success. Boxing events, professional and amateur, attract large audiences and support across the continent. When it comes to boxing in Africa, certain big names stand out from the pack. The likes of Moruthi Mthalane, Ilunga Makabu, and Zolani Tete have achieved great successes in International boxing over the years, and continue to inspire newcomers to get in the ring to this day.
7. Volleyball: Volleyball is popular in many African countries, both as a recreational sport and at the competitive level. African nations have taken part in a number of international volleyball tournaments, including the FIVB World Championships, and the African Volleyball Championships are a big hit back home.
8. Motorsports: Motorsports, particularly rallying, have gained popularity in Africa over the years. Events like the Dakar Rally, the East African Safari Rally, and various national and regional rallies attract motorsports enthusiasts and participants from around the world.

As the sporting industry continues to grow in Africa, its positive effects on the regional economy and on the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants are self-evident. Africa now enjoys an equal footing from which to bid for host high-profile global sporting events, some of which – notably the 2010 football World Cup – have put Africa on the international sports map. Meanwhile notable African sports personalities have been raising the continent’s profile and credentials by excelling in all sorts of sporting disciplines, becoming global sports personalities in the process.

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