Here are the 10 best African female athletes across different sports that dominated the headlines in the year 2024.
African women in sports have continued to push boundaries while setting new records as the years progress. The year 2024 was no exception, with the Olympics and other sporting events providing a platform for them to cement their status as a force to be reckoned with across all levels of sport.
With this in mind, we have curated a list of African female athletes who dared to be different and stood out as the best, setting various records across sports in the year 2024.
Who are the best African female athletes of 2024?
10. Chiamaka Nnadozie
Age: 23
Country: Nigeria
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Club: Paris FC Women
Arguably one of the best goalkeepers in women’s football, Chiamaka Nnadozie takes the number 10 spot on the list of the best African female athletes of 2024 for her remarkable achievements at both club and national levels.
Aside from being shortlisted as one of the finalists for African Female Player of the Year, Nnadozie played a pivotal role in Paris FC's successful season, helping the team secure a top-three finish in Division 1 Féminine. Her outstanding performances between the posts were instrumental in the club's qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
She was also named Goalkeeper of the Season in the French women's league for the 2023/24 season. Nnadozie was a key player for the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons, who secured their first Olympic qualification in over 14 years.
9. Faith Kipyegon
Age: 30
Country: Kenya
Faith Kipyegon solidified her position as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time in 2024. She won gold in the women's 1500 metres, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 3:49.04. This victory made her the first athlete ever to win three consecutive gold medals in the 1500 metres at the Olympics. She also earned a silver medal in the women's 5000 metres, where she set another astonishing record.
In addition, Kipyegon won her fourth Diamond League trophy in the 1500 metres at the recently concluded tournament in September 2024, demonstrating her consistent excellence throughout the season.
2024 was another remarkable year in her career, building on her successes in 2023, where she secured gold in both the 1500 metres and 5000 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
8. Beatrice Chebet
Age: 24
Country: Kenya
Arguably one of the most prominent figures in women’s long-distance running, Beatrice Chebet made 2024 unforgettable for Kenya in athletics. Her stellar performances at the Olympics and the Diamond League set the bar high.
Chebet won gold in both the women's 5000-metre and 10,000-metre events. Her victory in the 5000 metres came with a time of 14:28.56, defeating a strong field that included defending champion Sifan Hassan and reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon. In the 10,000 metres, she secured gold with a time of 30:43.25, becoming the first Kenyan athlete to win both events at the same Olympic Games.
She also won the Diamond League title in the 5000 metres and successfully defended her title at the World Cross Country Championships, claiming gold in both the individual and team events.
7. Kaylia Nemour
Age: 17
Country: Algeria
Kaylia Nemour’s story is one that will be remembered for a long time. From switching her allegiance from France to Algeria to defying all odds, she set numerous records for Africa in gymnastics.
Nemour won gold in the women's uneven bars, becoming the first African gymnast to win an Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics. Her stunning performance earned her a score of 15.700, securing Algeria's first Olympic gymnastics title. She was also featured on Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 list for 2024, highlighting her impact and achievements in sports.
This did not mark Nemour’s first time in the limelight. In 2023, she became the first African gymnast to win a medal at the World Championships, earning silver on the uneven bars.
6. Rehab Radwan
Age: 32
Country: Egypt
Rehab Radwan undoubtedly stood out among athletes in 2024, earning her a well-deserved spot on this list. The Egyptian Paralympian, a three-time World Champion in the women's 50kg powerlifting category, had previously claimed gold at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in 2017 (Mexico City), 2019 (Nur-Sultan), and 2021 (Tbilisi). These achievements have firmly established her as one of Africa's top athletes, a status further reinforced by her performance at the 2024 Paralympics in France.
The year 2024 held special significance for Rehab as she captured her first Paralympic gold medal in the women's 55kg category, earning Egypt its second gold medal of the Games. Her remarkable performance included lifting 117kg on her first attempt and an impressive 121kg on her second, placing her well ahead of her competitors. This victory added to her previous accolades, which include silver medals from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
5. Tabitha Chawinga
Age: 28
Country: Malawi
Club: Olympique Lyonnais Féminin
Tabitha Chawinga’s exceptional performances for both club and country in 2024 have earned her a well-deserved spot among the best African female athletes of the year. At 28 years old, she became the first Malawian to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or Féminin, where she ranked 16th out of 30 nominees.
While some might link her rise in prominence to her move to Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, her achievements have been consistent over time. In the 2023 season, she emerged as the top scorer in Serie A, netting 23 goals during her loan spell at Inter Milan from Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan.
Tabitha seamlessly carried her remarkable form into the French league. She was honoured with France's National Professional Footballers Player-of-the-Year Award in the women’s category, following an impressive stint with Paris Saint-Germain, where she scored 18 league goals and provided 10 assists.
Her move to Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on a three-year contract further solidified her impact. She quickly became a vital player for the team, delivering outstanding performances that contributed significantly to Lyon securing a top spot in the Division 1 Féminine.
4. Onyinyechi Mark
Age: 30
Country: Nigeria
Onyinyechi Mark, a pivotal figure in strengthening Nigeria’s standing at the Paralympics, rightfully claims a top spot among the best African female athletes of 2024. At 33 years old, she achieved a historic milestone by winning the gold medal in the women's 61kg powerlifting category at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Mark's outstanding performance included setting a new world record with a phenomenal lift of 147kg, surpassing the previous record held by her compatriot, Lucy Ejike. This remarkable accomplishment not only secured Nigeria’s first gold medal of the tournament but also made history as she broke the world record twice within 10 minutes, first lifting 146kg and then 147kg.
3. Imane Khelif
Age: 25
Country: Algeria
Imane Khelif, one of the most celebrated African athletes of 2024, showcased her exceptional talent and determination, achieving significant milestones in her boxing career and bringing immense pride to Algeria.
At 25 years old, Khelif made history by claiming the gold medal in the women's 66kg welterweight division at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This groundbreaking victory established her as the first Algerian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.
Khelif’s impressive achievements, however, did not start in 2024. She became the first female Algerian boxer to win a world championship medal by securing a silver at the 2022 World Championships. Additionally, she clinched gold at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, the 2022 African Championships, and the 2023 Arab Games, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in African boxing.
2. Folashade Oluwafemiayo
Age: 39
Country: Nigeria
A true leader and influential figure, Folashade Oluwafemiayo earns a well-deserved spot among the best African female athletes of 2024. Her remarkable consistency throughout the year saw her repeatedly breaking world records in her para-powerlifting category.
Oluwafemiayo’s performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was particularly extraordinary. Competing in the women’s over 86kg para-powerlifting category, she clinched the gold medal and shattered two world records within a single event. She achieved a staggering lift of 167kg, surpassing her previous record and becoming the first para-athlete in history to reach this milestone.
As the captain of Team Nigeria, Oluwafemiayo’s unwavering leadership and commitment played a vital role in the team’s overall success at the 2024 Paralympic Games, further solidifying her legacy as one of Africa’s greatest athletes.
1. Barbra Banda
Age: 24
Country: Zambia
Club: Orlando Pride
Barbra Banda has cemented her place as Africa's best female athlete in 2024 through her groundbreaking achievements and exceptional performances in football. From being crowned the BBC Women’s Player of the Year 2024 to becoming the first African footballer included in the FIFPRO Women’s World XI, Banda has consistently made headlines for her incredible contributions to the sport.
Her dazzling display at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a historic moment. Banda scored four goals, including an unforgettable hat-trick against Australia, making her Africa's all-time leading scorer in Olympic football history with 10 goals.
In March 2024, Banda joined Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and made an immediate impact. She finished the season as the league’s second-top scorer, netting 13 goals in 22 matches, and was instrumental in her team’s success, securing both the league shield and the championship. Banda’s standout performances earned her the NWSL MVP award and the Championship MVP trophy for her decisive title-winning goal.
Banda’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent have redefined excellence in women’s football, setting a new benchmark for athletes across the continent.
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