African athletes have gone above and beyond to make their mark not only on the continental stage but also on the world stage.
By Afrocritik’s Editorial Board
Crafting a list of the best African athletes of 2024 is akin to walking a tightrope over a sea of endless possibilities. African athletes have gone above and beyond to make their mark not only on the continental stage but also on the world stage. From the track to the court, the pool to the pitch, narrowing down an entire continent’s sporting brilliance to just 20 names feels almost unjust. How does one make such selections in a year packed with the African Cup of Nations, the Africa Games, the Olympics, and numerous other continental and international tournaments?
It’s a thankless task—we know we’re bound to miss someone. We know the debates will be fierce. But that’s the beauty of African sports: its depth, diversity, and unparalleled excellence.
Here’s our take on the 20 best African athletes of 2024, spanning various sports and athletic disciplines.
Barbra Banda (Zambia)
Barbra Banda had a phenomenal 2024, excelling in both club and international football. She signed a record-breaking $740,000 deal with Orlando Pride, leading the team to their first NWSL Shield with 13 goals, including crucial strikes in the playoffs and the championship final, where she was named MVP. Her incredible season earned her a place in the NWSL Best XI, a Ballon d’Or nomination, and the prestigious BBC Women’s ‘Footballer of the Year’ award.
On the international stage, Banda scored twice to secure Zambia’s qualification for the Olympics. At the Games, she netted four of Zambia’s six goals, including a remarkable hat-trick in their thrilling 6-5 loss to Australia—the only hat-trick in women’s football at this year’s Olympics.
Capping off her stellar year, Banda was named the 2024 African ‘Women’s Player of the Year’ at the CAF Awards.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
In May, Ademola Lookman made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their maiden European title and securing a place in the competition’s ‘Team of the Season’. He was also named Atalanta’s ‘Player of the Season’ for the second consecutive year.
On the international stage, Lookman was instrumental for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He scored crucial goals in the knockout stages, including a brace against Cameroon and the decisive winner against Angola.
Although Nigeria narrowly lost the final to the hosts, Lookman’s outstanding performances earned him a spot in the AFCON Team of the Tournament and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger.
In 2024, Lookman stood out as the only African nominee for the Ballon d’Or and received nominations for the FIFA ‘Best Men’s Player of the Year’ and the Globe Soccer Awards. His remarkable achievements culminated in being named CAF’s ‘Men’s African Player of the Year’. It doesn’t get more extraordinary than this.
Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda)
Joshua Cheptegei cemented his status as one of the greatest long-distance runners in history with an outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Ugandan star claimed the 10,000m gold medal in record-breaking fashion, setting a new Olympic record of 26:43.14 at the Stade de France. This victory marked his third Olympic medal and second gold, adding to his titles from Tokyo 2020 in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
The race was fiercely contested, with Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi taking silver and Grant Fisher of the USA claiming bronze. Cheptegei’s triumph not only made him Uganda’s most decorated Olympian but also reaffirmed his dominance in long-distance running, as he continues to hold the world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Mohammed Salah (Egypt)
In 2024, Mohamed Salah, though away from the usual spotlight, continued to deliver exceptional performances for both Liverpool and Egypt.
He became the Premier League player with the most matches featuring both a goal and an assist in a single season, surpassing Wayne Rooney. Salah also climbed to fifth place in the league’s all-time goal involvement rankings, overtaking Frank Lampard. Currently the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League, he has been directly involved in over 70% of Liverpool’s goals, helping the Merseyside club sit atop the division.
On the international stage, Salah and Egypt have yet to lose a competitive game in regular time this year. Their only defeat came via a penalty shootout against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Salah has also contributed four goals for Egypt in 2024.
His remarkable performances have earned him nominations for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award and the Globe Soccer Awards.
Biniam Girmay (Eritrea)
Biniam Girmay had a groundbreaking 2024, starting with a strong performance at the Tour Down Under, where he finished second in the points classification, and claiming his first victory of the year at the Surf Coast Classic in January.
Although named team leader for Intermarché-Wanty at the Giro d’Italia, Girmay’s campaign was cut short after two crashes on a rainy Stage 4 left him with a hip injury. Remarkably, he returned just 10 days later to win the Circuit Franco-Belge in May.
At the Tour de France, Girmay made history as the first Black African to win a stage, securing victory in Stage 3. He followed this with triumphs in Stages 8 and 12, beating elite sprinters like Jasper Philipsen and Wout Van Aert. Girmay’s stellar performances earned him the prestigious green jersey, finishing with a 33-point lead—the first African to achieve this feat.
Capping off his incredible year, Girmay extended his contract with Intermarché-Wanty until 2028. In a season of historic achievements, Girmay was truly a standout.
Tatjana Smith (South Africa)
Watching Tatjana Smith touch the wall in Paris was unforgettable—her face a blend of exhaustion and pure, unbridled joy. She had achieved what most athletes can only dream of: becoming a two-time Olympic champion.
The 100-metre breaststroke was her crowning moment. Months of pre-dawn training, countless laps in icy pools, and sacrifices beyond imagination had culminated in this single, flawless race. When she touched the wall first, the deafening roar from the South African section said it all—a gold medal that would change everything.
But Tatjana wasn’t finished. In the 200-metre breaststroke, she claimed silver, etching her name in the history books as South Africa’s most decorated Olympian. With four Olympic medals to her name—two golds and two silvers—Tatjana Smith has firmly secured her legacy.
Kaylia Nemour (Algeria)
At just 17 years old, Kaylia Nemour made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by winning gold in the uneven bars, becoming the first African gymnast to achieve this milestone. She earned a score of 15.700, narrowly edging out China’s Qiu Qiyuan, as well as America’s Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and other top gymnasts, to secure Algeria’s sixth-ever Olympic gold medal.
Born in France to Algerian and French parents, Nemour switched her allegiance to Algeria in 2022 with the goal of inspiring the next generation of African gymnasts. Her achievements so far position her as a trailblazer in gymnastics on the continent and a testament to what can be accomplished when athletes are given the right support and opportunities.
Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
Faith Kipyegon cemented her legendary status in 2024 with a series of historic accomplishments in athletics. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she became the first woman to secure three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500m, breaking her own Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29.
This victory followed her earlier triumphs in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, solidifying her dominance over the distance. Despite a dramatic and initially controversial 5000m final, where she was temporarily disqualified before being reinstated to silver medal position, Kipyegon showcased her resilience and versatility.
Earlier in the year, Kipyegon set a new 1500m world record of 3:49.04 at the Meeting de Paris, shaving milliseconds off her previous record. She also clinched the 1500m title at the Diamond League final in Brussels and claimed victory at the inaugural Athlos meet in New York. These achievements, paired with her unparalleled consistency, mark her as one of the most remarkable athletes of the year.
Pieter Stephanus du Toit (South Africa)
Pieter-Steph du Toit had an extraordinary 2024, adding another remarkable chapter to his illustrious rugby career. He was named the World Rugby Men’s 15s ‘Player of the Year’ for the second time, having first claimed the honour in 2019. This achievement makes him the first South African and the first non-New Zealander to win the award twice.
Du Toit played a pivotal role in South Africa’s triumphs, including their victory in the 2024 Rugby Championship—their first since 2009—and their unbeaten run in the Autumn Nations Series.
His contributions were instrumental in a stellar year for the Springboks, who achieved an impressive 84.6% win record. Alongside major successes, the team also claimed prestigious trophies such as the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate, the Freedom Cup, and the Qatar Airways Cup, underscoring their dominance.
Tamirat Tola Abera (Ethiopia)
Tamirat Tola Abera secured a historic gold medal in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Clocking a record-breaking 2:06:26, Tola not only shattered the previous Olympic record but also ended Ethiopia’s 24-year wait for marathon gold. The last Ethiopian to achieve this feat was Gezahegne Abera at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tola’s victory ended Ethiopia’s marathon gold drought and earned him the prestigious title of World Athletics Male Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Ronwen Williams had a stellar 2024, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top goalkeepers. At the club level, he was instrumental in Mamelodi Sundowns’ continued dominance in South African football.
Williams’ exceptional shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and precise distribution helped Sundowns secure yet another DStv Premiership title. In the CAF Champions League, he played a crucial role in their campaign, delivering vital saves and expertly organising his defence during the semi-finals.
On the international stage, Williams was pivotal in South Africa’s successful qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite South Africa’s journey ending in the semi-finals, his performances stood out.
Williams received numerous accolades during this period, including being named CAF Goalkeeper of the Tournament at AFCON 2023. He was also nominated for the CAF Player of the Year, CAF Interclub Player of the Year, and CAF Goalkeeper of the Year awards, winning the latter two.
Notably, Williams made history as the first South African goalkeeper—and the only African in 2024—to be nominated for the prestigious Yacine Trophy.
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi)
Tabitha Chawinga once again led the line for Paris Saint-Germain, playing a pivotal role in their Coupe de France triumph during the 2023–24 season. She scored an impressive 27 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions, with 19 of those goals and 10 assists coming in the league.
Her outstanding performances earned her the UNFP Division 1 ‘Féminine Player of the Year’ award and the Trophées FFF D1 ‘Féminine Best Player’ award for the 2023–24 season. She was also named in the UNFP Division 1 Féminine and Trophées FFF D1 Féminine Teams of the Season.
Chawinga’s exceptional form saw her nominated for the 2024 Women’s Player of the Year at both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best Awards.
Letsile Tebogo (Botswana)
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Letsile Tebogo became the first-ever Botswanan to win an Olympic gold medal. He achieved this in the men’s 200-metre final, beating American sprinter, Noah Lyles, who secured gold in the 100-meter final.
Tebogo also earned a silver medal in the men’s 4×400-metre relay final for Botswana. His wins earned him the Best Male Athlete of the 2024 Paris Olympics in October.
Tebogo’s success prompted the Botswana government to declare August 9th a public holiday in celebration. The 21-year-old also received two houses as a reward for his Olympic success. In December 2024, his outstanding year culminated with being named World Athletics’ ‘Male Athlete of the Year’.
Overall, 2024 was an unforgettable year for Letsile Tebogo, marking a truly historic achievement.
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nigeria’s women’s national team goalkeeper, proved to be as influential as ever during Nigeria’s challenging 2024 Paris Olympics campaign. The team faced a tough group, featuring Japan, Spain, and Brazil, and despite losing all three matches, Nnadozie kept the scorelines respectable, making 13 saves across the three Olympic games.
At the club level, Nnadozie continues to shine for Paris FC in France’s Division 1 Féminine. Her stellar performances were crucial in helping the team secure an impressive third-place finish during the 2023/2024 season, with them holding the same position this season, just behind PSG and Lyon.
Nnadozie was nominated for both the African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and African Women’s Player of the Year awards. While she won the ‘Goalkeeper of the Year’ award, she was edged out by Barbra Banda for the ‘Player of the Year’ accolade.
Caitlin Ann De Lange (South Africa)
Caitlin Ann De Lange was on fire at the African Games, securing an impressive seven medals — the joint most by any athlete at the Games. She claimed five gold medals in the 4x100m Free Relay Mixed, Women’s 100m Freestyle, Women’s 50m Backstroke, 4x100m Medley Relay, and Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay. Additionally, she won two silver medals in the Women’s 50m Butterfly and Women’s 50m Freestyle.
At just 20 years old, Caitlin Ann De Lange is a promising swimming talent that South Africa will be eager to nurture in the coming years. She has the potential to become a world-class swimmer, capable of excelling on the global stage. With the right support and development, she is set to be a major talent in the future.
Raoua Tlili (Tunisia)
Raoua Tlili further cemented her place as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time with a scintillating performance at the 2024 Paralympics. The Tunisian star clinched two gold medals, bringing her career total to eight Paralympic golds and ten medals overall. In Paris, she triumphed in the F41 Discus Throw and F41 Shot Put, securing both medals.
Tlili also added a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Kobe, winning again in the T41 Shot Put.
Skander Djamil Athmani (Algeria)
Algerian sprinter, Skander Djamil Athmani, delivered a sensational performance at the 2024 Paralympics, winning gold medals in both the 100m and 400m events. Known for his electrifying speed and precision, Athmani proved himself a force to be reckoned with on the track.
His victories were a continuation of his stellar career, having previously won gold and set records in earlier competitions. Athmani’s success reflects not only his personal dedication but also Algeria’s rich tradition in Paralympic athletics. His dominance in multiple sprint events underscores his versatility and athleticism.
As a role model for aspiring athletes, Athmani’s achievements highlight the importance of resilience and hard work. His victories in Paris further solidify his legacy as one of Algeria’s most celebrated Paralympians.
Mpumelelo Mhlongo (South Africa)
Mpumelelo Mhlongo’s remarkable performance at the 2024 Paralympics earned him the prestigious Shield of Love — the highest honour in South African sport — which was presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November.
The world record holder kicked off his campaign by clinching gold in the men’s 100m T44, clocking an impressive 11.12 seconds to secure South Africa’s first medal of the Games, and his own gold.
In his final event, the T64 class 200m, Mhlongo faced a tougher challenge but still delivered a world record-breaking time of 22.62 seconds, finishing fourth. A dramatic turn of events followed when second-placed German Felix Streng was disqualified for a lane infringement, elevating Mhlongo to the podium and securing him a second Paralympic medal — a bronze.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy may have flown under the radar for many, but he has been on fire in Europe, consistently scoring for Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga.
The 28-year-old Guinean striker lit up the league, finishing the season with 28 goals — only surpassed by England international Harry Kane. Guirassy also broke Mario Gómez’s 19-year club record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign.
Away from club football, the France-born forward was key in Guinea’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, even though he didn’t score. In the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, he netted six goals in five matches, including an incredible 29-minute hat-trick against Ethiopia — though it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the finals.
With a standout record of 26 goals and five assists in 37 appearances for both club and country in 2024, and a place in the final five for the CAF ‘Men’s Player of the Year’, Guirassy’s achievements make him a worthy mention.
Marwan Elkamash (Egypt)
Thirty-year-old Marwan Elkamash delivered a masterclass at the African Games, finishing with the joint-most medals of the competition. The Egyptian sensation dominated in freestyle events, amassing an impressive haul of seven medals.
Elkamash claimed five gold medals in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 800m Freestyle, and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay, solidifying his place as a standout performer. He also earned two silver medals for Egypt in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay and the 4x100m Medley Relay.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.