For a very long time, Africa has been a dominant force in the world of sports, turning out athletes who constantly perform exceptionally well on the international arena. Talent from Africa is a formidable opponent in every aspect of the sport, from the track to the pitch. The arrival of a new year of competition brings with it the promise of even more remarkable performances, and we are looking forward to the year 2025. Here is a list of the top ten athletes from Africa that you should keep an eye on.
List Of Top 10 Best Athletes To Watch In Africa 2025
1. Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Ghana national team and Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. He was born on January 7, 2000. Semenyo is known for his speed, strength, and direct attacking style. He has become a versatile and important player. His path to becoming a professional football player was unusual. He was turned down by well-known junior academies early on, but he finally made it at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
While information about a top-tier athlete named Elias Osei is not readily available, it is common for new talent to emerge and make a name for themselves in the world of sports. The constant emergence of fresh talent from the continent ensures that the list of African athletes to watch is always dynamic. As new seasons and competitions unfold, new heroes will be forged, continuing Africa’s rich sporting legacy.
2. Faith Kipyegon
The supremacy that Faith Kipyegon possesses is unrivaled, and she is widely considered to be one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time. The famous athlete from Kenya has won several Olympic and World Championships, and he holds the record for the 1500-meter race at the world level. She has maintained her great form throughout the year 2025, as seen by her victory in the 1500-meter race at the World Championships. It is impossible not to keep an eye on her as an athlete because of her unrelenting pursuit of excellence and her ability to generate performances that routinely break records.
3. Tobi Amusan
Tobi Amusan, the track phenomenon from Nigeria, has again demonstrated her tenacity and talent in concert with her success. As a previous holder of the world record for the 100-meter hurdles and a world champion, the athlete has demonstrated consistent performance at the top level. She proceeded to demonstrate her superiority by achieving a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles competition at the World Championships in the year 2025. Because of her exceptional speed, technique, and dogged persistence, she is a formidable competitor in any race.
4. Mohammed Salah
A global star and a shining example of African football, Mohammed Salah is often regarded as one of the most productive forwards in the world. The Egyptian King has been a significant player for his club and has constantly been one of the top scorers for the team. From the 2025/2026 Premier League season onward, Salah will continue to play a pivotal role in the offensive operations of his side. As a result of his quickness, dribbling abilities, and clinical finishing, he poses a persistent threat to the defenses of the opposing team.
5. Eliud Kipchoge
Eliud Kipchoge, the iconic athlete who holds the record for being the only human to complete a marathon in less than two hours, continues to defy age and expectations. Kipchoge, who has won the Olympic marathon twice, is a good example of the “no human is limited” attitude and the potential that lives within each individual. During the year 2025, he is slated to take part in the London Marathon as well as the Sydney Marathon, thereby returning to some of the most renowned race courses in the entire world. His mere presence is a significant event, and each and every race that he competes in is an opportunity to be a witness to history.
6. Caster Semenya
In the ongoing discussion on the regulations governing athletic eligibility, Caster Semenya, who has won two gold medals at the Olympic Games, continues to be a central character. Semenya’s legal struggle has been going on for a very long time because she has not competed at the highest level of competition since the advent of the DSD regulations that World Athletics implemented. Although a European court has decided that she did not receive a fair hearing, this does not mean that the regulations that are now in place are invalidated. A transition into coaching has been made by Semenya, and the fact that she continues to fight for the values of fair play and human rights is a monument to her adherence to these principles.
7. Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen, the top striker for Nigeria, has captivated the attention of the football world with his explosive power and his ability to score goals. Osimhen is currently earning a living in Turkey, following a move that garnered a lot of attention during the summer of 2025. The discussion regarding his future is already heating up, with top European clubs coveting his signature, despite the fact that it may be a brief stop he is currently experiencing. Because of his unrelenting work ethic and his consistent ability to reach the back of the goal, he is considered to be one of the most entertaining attackers in the game.
8. Beatrice Chebet
Long-distance runner Beatrice Chebet has established herself as a formidable competitor in recent years. During her performance, the Kenyan athlete displayed her remarkable endurance as well as her scorching finishing kick. As a result of her outstanding performance in 2025, she was able to complete the double at the World Championships by winning both the 5000-meter and the 10,000-meter races. When it comes to the 5000-meter race, her competition with fellow Kenyan Faith Kipyegon has become one of the most fascinating competitors in the sport.
9. Cheptegei Joshua
Joshua Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete, has been a dominant figure in the sport of long-distance running for many years. He has won gold at the Olympics and set world records in this sport. The decorated athlete, on the other hand, has undergone a change in the year 2025. It was determined that Cheptegei and his partner Jacob Kiplimo would not be able to compete in the World Championships owing to personal reasons respectively. Despite the fact that this is a setback, his return to competition will be eagerly anticipated by fans all over the world thanks to the fact that he is still considered to be one of the best distance runners of his time.
10. Kelvin Wangaya
The young Kenyan midfielder Kelvin Wangaya is an emerging star in African football. He has been turning heads with his remarkable performances, and he is a rising star in the African football scene. The Kenyan Under-20 squad competed in the African Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament in 2025, and he was a vital player for the team. His composure, vision, and leadership in the midfield were all on full display during the tournament. It is important to keep an eye on Wangaya as he continues to develop his profession because he possesses a tremendous amount of potential.