The year 2013 left an indelible mark on African sports, witnessing significant events across football, athletics, basketball, and cycling. The Africa Top Sports.com Awards present a challenging task in electing the champion of the year from a list curated by the ATS editorial staff in Lomé and correspondents across the continent.
Here are some key events and personalities that defined African sports in 2013:
- Oscar Pistorius:
- A tragic incident occurred on Valentine’s Day when Oscar Pistorius accidentally killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, under circumstances that shocked the world.
- Bruno Metsu:
- On October 14, 2013, Africa lost one of its greatest coaches, Bruno Metsu. The former player of OGC Nice had led Senegal to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup and reached the final of the CAN 2002.
- Lydia Nsekera:
- Lydia Nsekera made history by becoming the first woman elected for four years to the executive committee of FIFA, marking a significant achievement for African and world football.
- Aboubacry Ba:
- Senegalese sports journalist Aboubacry Ba made a notable impact, joining Canal+ in 2012 and co-presenting the show Talents d’Afrique with Philippe Doucet.
- Issa Hayatou:
- Issa Hayatou was re-elected as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a seventh mandate, focusing on promoting football and combating negative mentalities.
- Nigeria’s Victory at the CAN:
- Nigeria emerged victorious at the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), winning by a narrow margin against Burkina Faso. It marked the third coronation for Nigeria and the second for coach Stephen Keshi.
- Disappearance of Nelson Mandela:
- The legendary Nelson Mandela, a symbol of peace and unity, passed away, leaving a void not only in South Africa but also in the global community. Mandela understood the power of sports in healing and bringing people together.
These events encapsulate the diversity of experiences and emotions that unfolded in African sports during 2013. The Africa Top Sports.com Awards invite the audience to vote, comment, and engage in discussions to determine the strongest contender among the outstanding athletes and personalities of the year.
