The Weekend Review: African Entertainment and Sports (October 18-19, 2025)

The continent was abuzz with action this past weekend, from critical football matchups in the CAF Champions League to exciting developments in music and film. Here's a look at what made headlines across Africa.

On the pitch: CAF Champions League and other sports

The biggest sports action took place on the football field, with the second preliminary rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League dominating conversations.

• Upsets and decisive leads: South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns started their campaign with a bang, delivering a commanding victory over Nigeria's Remo Stars. Meanwhile, Congolese side St. Eloi Lupopo pulled off a significant upset by defeating another South African giant, Orlando Pirates.

• Away victories: On the first leg of the qualification round, Egyptian club Al Ahly secured a crucial away win against Burundi's Aigle Noir, while Tanzania's Simba SC also bagged an important away victory.

• Heartbreak in Cape Town: The annual Sanlam Cape Town Marathon faced disappointment this weekend, as the finish-line area was damaged by strong winds, frustrating runners and organizers alike. The race is a significant step toward Cape Town becoming Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major candidate.

• Ocean Racing World Championships: In Durban, South Africa, the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships crowned new champions. South African Kira Bester won the Women's SS1, while Australian Cory Hill took home the Men's SS1 title.

In the spotlight: Entertainment and arts

From cinematic releases to music chart-toppers, Africa's vibrant entertainment industry was in full swing.

• Faith-based film success in Ghana: A Ghanaian faith-based film titled My Private Line to God was a viral hit over the weekend, garnering more than 4 million views in the country. Its success highlights the growing demand for locally produced content.

• New music releases: New music releases continue to drive conversations online. The Ghanaian music scene, in particular, was vibrant, with artists like Yaw Tog, Mike Mungu, and Darkua dropping new tracks.

  • Yaw Tog boldly claimed his place in the industry with the release of his album Tog City.

  • Mike Mungu and Darkua collaborated on a soulful new single, “Treasure”.

  • Rising stars MOLIY and Tyla teamed up for an exciting dance track, "Body Go," which quickly caught the attention of music lovers across the continent.

• Actor appeals for welfare support: Ghana's Fiifi Coleman used his platform to appeal to fellow actors to support a private welfare scheme aimed at improving the industry's social safety net.

• Nollywood star makes headlines: Following a domestic dispute between Regina Daniels and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, the Nigerian actress's situation trended on social media. Meanwhile, actress Bukunmi Oluwasina added to the drama by weighing in on the "women supporting women" debate within the Nollywood industry.

What to watch next

The sporting calendar continues to heat up, with the second legs of the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds scheduled for the coming weekend. Football fans will be keen to see if any teams can overturn their first-leg deficits. In the arts, with the Film Africa festival on the horizon in November, audiences can look forward to more cinematic excellence and cultural celebration.