What type of sports are played in Africa?

Africa has a huge range of sports, from globally popular ones to deeply traditional, culturally rooted games. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Most Popular Modern Sports in Africa

1. Football (Soccer) — #1 by far

• Played in every country.

• Major leagues in Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, etc.

• Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the biggest continental tournament.

2. Athletics (Track & Field)

• Especially strong in distance running.

• Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda dominate long-distance events.

3. Basketball

• NBA has invested heavily through the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

• Popular in Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, South Africa.

4. Rugby

• Most popular in South Africa (current powerhouse), Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe.

5. Cricket

• Strong in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia.

6. Boxing

• Many African champions—Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and D.R. Congo have strong histories.

Traditional African Sports

These vary by region and culture:

1. Wrestling

• Very big in West Africa (Senegal's Laamb wrestling is almost like a national sport).

• Also popular in Niger, Nigeria, Sudan.

2. Stick Fighting

• Practiced by the Zulu in South Africa (Indlamu/Nguni stick fighting).

• Also seen in Ethiopia (Donga stick fighting).

3. Horse Racing / Camel Racing

• Camel racing: Somalia, Sudan, Niger.

• Horse racing: North and West Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria).

4. Mancala Games (Awale, Oware, Bao)

• A traditional board game played across the continent.

5. Archery

• Practiced traditionally in Ethiopia, Sudan, and parts of East Africa.

Emerging Sports

1. E-sports

• Growing in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt.

2. Cycling

• Rising in Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia.

3. Martial Arts

• Karate, Taekwondo, Judo gaining popularity in many countries.