Top 10 Sporting Moments in 2025

The year 2025 has been a particularly interesting one in sports, marked by both high and low moments that defined a truly topsy-turvy year.

Across different disciplines, we witnessed historic triumphs, painful disappointments, and landmark achievements. Morocco continued its remarkable rise in football, from their U-20 World Cup triumph to finishing second at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and clinching both the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year awards at the CAF Awards — a truly incredible ascent.

In athletics, it was a strong year for Africa. Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi claimed gold in the relay event at the World Athletics Championships with a personal best of 43.53 seconds, while Kenya’s Lilian Odira won gold in the 800 metres. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan also secured a silver medal at the championships.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons and D’Tigress extended their dominance, recording historic title wins at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the Women’s AfroBasket Championship respectively.

In Europe, 2025 belonged to Paris Saint-Germain, as the French giants were crowned Champions of Europe for the first time in their history.

From these triumphs and setbacks, we have carefully selected ten standout moments for our Top 10 Sporting Moments of 2025.

10. D’Tigress win AfroBasket title

In tenth place is the D’Tigress’ AfroBasket conquest. Nigeria’s female basketball team won a record-extending seventh Women’s AfroBasket title in August. The perennial champions entered the tournament as overwhelming favourites and lived up to expectations, defeating Rwanda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Senegal, and Mali en route to yet another continental crown.

Beyond the title win, the D’Tigress were rewarded with a cash prize of $100,000, a plot of land each, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

9. Super Falcons crowned Champions of Africa again

From one female national team to another, Nigeria’s Super Falcons also made the nation proud by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. It was a record-extending tenth title for the Falcons, achieved with an unbeaten run, further cementing their legendary status in African football.

The team was similarly honoured with national awards, cash rewards, and property for their historic achievement.

8. England’s Lionesses win back-to-back European titles

England’s Three Lionesses were crowned European champions for the second consecutive time after defeating world champions Spain on penalties. Spain took the lead through Mariona Caldentey, but England responded with an equaliser from Alessia Russo.

The final ended in a tense penalty shootout, which England won 3–1, sealing back-to-back European titles following their 2022 triumph.

7. PSG win first-ever Champions League title

Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Champions of Europe for the first time in their history after a humiliating 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final.

Goals from Achraf Hakimi, a brace from youngster Désiré Doué, and strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu sealed a historic win. It was also Luis Enrique’s second Champions League title, following his success with Barcelona in the 2014/15 season.

6. Ousmane Dembélé’s year of personal accolades

Individually, 2025 belonged to Ousmane Dembélé. The Paris Saint-Germain and France forward completed a clean sweep of major individual honours, winning both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best awards.

With 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, alongside titles in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, Dembélé was widely adjudged the best player in Europe and the world.

5. Remo Stars and Bayelsa Queens win NPFL and NWFL titles

Ikenne-based Remo Stars claimed their first-ever Nigerian Premier Football League title in the 2024/25 season, securing the crown with three games to spare after defeating Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 35. It was the first time in 25 years that a South-Western club won the NPFL title.

In the women’s league, Bayelsa Queens lifted the Nigerian Women’s Football League title, their sixth overall and first in three years. The Prosperity Girls finished top of the table with 10 points from five games and sealed the title with a dominant 4–1 win over Naija Ratels on the final day.

4. Africa’s heroics at the World Athletics Championships

African athletes delivered outstanding performances at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Kenya topped the medal haul with seven gold medals, while Botswana secured two golds and a bronze.

Botswana’s historic gold in the 4×400m relay marked their first-ever world championship gold, with South Africa finishing third. Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi also made history by reaching the men’s 100m final for the first time in 18 years.

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet shone brightly, with Kipyegon winning her fourth 1,500m gold across five championships, while Chebet claimed her maiden world title in the 10,000m. Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu won his first major marathon gold in Tokyo, delivering the nation’s first-ever world championship gold medal.

3. Chiamaka Nnadozie and Justin Madugu earn Ballon d’Or nominations

Following their WAFCON triumph, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justin Madugu received Ballon d’Or nominations. Madugu was shortlisted for the Johan Cruyff Trophy, while Nnadozie earned a nomination for the Women’s Yashin Trophy — a major recognition for Nigerian football.

2. Hakimi and Chebbak, Super Falcons light up CAF Awards

At the 2025 CAF Awards, Moroccan stars Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were named Africa’s Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year respectively. Hakimi enjoyed a stellar season with PSG, winning the Champions League, while Chebbak captained Morocco to a WAFCON runner-up finish and scored in the final.

Nigeria's Super Falcons were named the female national team of the year, while Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the goalkeeper award of the Year for the third time running.

1. Super Eagles miss out on the 2026 World Cup

Perhaps the most painful sporting moment for Nigerians in 2025 was the Super Eagles missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Drawn in Group C alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, Nigeria managed only 17 points after ten matches. Though hope briefly resurfaced following Eritrea’s withdrawal and South Africa’s three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, the Eagles ultimately fell short.

After edging into the playoffs, Nigeria defeated Gabon 4–1 after extra time but lost the final to DR Congo on penalties. It marked the first time the Super Eagles missed consecutive World Cup tournaments, though ongoing eligibility cases continue to cast uncertainty over the final outcome.

It was a year of highs and lows, triumphs and heartbreaks, but 2025 has undoubtedly been one to remember for sports fans worldwide. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations currently underway in Morocco, the year’s sporting drama is far from over as Africa’s brightest stars continue to shine.