Africa@Play

East African sport is in the spotlight this week, with Tanzania's Hawa Wanyeche claiming the Uganda Ladies Golf Open after a dramatic finish. Uganda's Cricket Cranes have also had mixed fortunes in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, including a strong comeback win over Singapore in Dar es Salaam. Meanwhile, the Lady Volleyball Cranes have named their final 14-player squad ahead of the African Nations Championship in Nairobi from August 23 to September 5. And in Morogoro, Tanzania, the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association Games are bringing together thousands of young athletes from across the region. Zai Khan spoke to Channel Africa Correspondent, Sam Mpanza

The All Blacks' South African tour has been nothing short of emphatic, with New Zealand dismantling the Sharks 54-0 in Durban. The eight-try performance demonstrated the depth and attacking quality available to coach Dave Rennie. But the victory also exposed the growing gap between international-strength teams and provincial sides missing key players. To  examine what this result means for New Zealand, South African rugby and the looming Test series, Zai Khan spoke to South African Rugby Content Creator, Xhanti Mbane 

South African cricket is entering another important phase as the Proteas prepare for a white-ball assignment involving Namibia. Beyond the individual matches, the series offers an opportunity to assess combinations, emerging players and the depth available to South Africa. For Namibia, encounters with an established cricketing nation provide valuable international exposure. To examine what this period could mean for the future direction of cricket in both countries, we are joined on the line by Vice President of Cricket Namibia, Polly Negongo

Kenya has formally submitted Nairobi's bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. If successful, Nairobi would become the first African city to stage athletics' premier global outdoor championship. For a country synonymous with distance running, hosting the event would represent a major opportunity to showcase African sporting infrastructure and organisational capacity. To discuss what the bid could mean for Kenya, athletics and Africa's position on the global sporting calendar, Zai Khan spoke to James Waindi, President of the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya..

President William Ruto is leading the campaign for Kenya’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after the bid committee presented the country’s prospects before the panel of judges well ahead of the deadline date of August 15th 2026. Channel Africa's Francis M. Mutegi has more 

: A new adventure is taking off at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, with visitors now able to soar across seven zipline routes. The park officially launched the attraction earlier on Saturday (15 August), with scores of visitors trying out the new experience. Between the lines, visitors are guided by trained tour guides stationed at the sending and receiving platforms. Siphiwe Mkhize was there and filed this report.

Defending champion, American Ben Shelton, has clinched back-to-back Canadian Open titles. The fifth seed beat his compatriot, Brandon Nakashima, in straight sets in the final in Montreal. Shelton is also the first Canadian Open Champion since Novak Djokovic in 2016 to win the tournament without dropping a set.  Mahudi Molapo reports...

Banyana Banyana Coach, Desiree Ellis, admits that this year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco did not go as planned. The 2022 AFCON champions failed to reach the semi-finals of this year's tournament and qualify for the next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Banyana Banyana will now have to do it the hard way, and participate in the inter-continental play-off's starting in November.  SIFISO RAMARA reports...

Squash, sometimes called squash rackets, is a racket sport played by two (singles) or four players (doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow, rubber ball. The players alternate striking the ball with their rackets, directing it onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court. The object of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return. There are about 20 million people who play squash regularly worldwide in over 185 countries. Channel Africa Correspondent, Namchana Namchana has more 

Thierno Cissé Deputy Chief Operations Director for the Dakar 2026 Olympic Youth Games in conversation with Channel Africa's Zai Khan as there are 85 days to the event. Darkar 2026 is the first Olympic event ever hosted on African soil. Beyond the competition, the Games represent a defining moment for African youth, culture and international sport.

Our UK based correspondent Geshom Nyathi chats to Zai Khan about Africa's progress at the ongoing World Under-20 Junior Athletics Championships taking place at Hayward Field in Eugene, USA, with more than 1,800 athletes from 141 countries competing. Twenty-three teams from Africa are taking part. At the time of our report yesterday, five African countries — Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda — had won a combined total of 15 medals.

Football legends Vuyo Mere and Lehlohonolo Majoro in conversation with  Channel Africa's Zai Khan as the ⁠2026 MTN8 tournament officially kicks off this weekend, marking the start of South Africa's premier top-flight knockout football action.

Netball SA President Manaledi Diale joins Zai Khan on Africa @Play to talk about African teams performances at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, National Netball Championships and 2026 Africa Netball Cup that will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from September 19 to 26, 2026, hosted at the Kasarani Indoor Arena. 

Our correspondent Francis Mutegi, based in Nairobi, Kenya filled this package on the latest news from East Africa and the continent.

Stanley Mutoya in conversation about the coming Region 5 Games in Mozambique, how preparations are unfolding and what the Games mean for sport development in Southern Africa.

Channel Africa's Neto Chemane in conversation with 2026 All-African Men’s Blackball Champion Shaun Martheze as a build-up to the National Championships.

Highly decorated South African pool player and a former World Blackball Champion Wetsi Morake joins Channel Africa's Neto Chemane to talk about his career and the state of the sport in the continent.

Lehlohonolo Masinda and Khutsafalo Tawana  who are amongst 15 South African players who qualified for the 5th FIFG Footgolf World Cup happening on the 27th of May - 07 June in Acapulco, Mexico chat with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane as they are trying to get sponsors, raise funds in preparation for the World Cup.

Veteran swingman and former Zimbabwe senior men's national team  Basketball captain Taurai Chitsinde chats with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about his illustrious career and coaching. 

Africa @Play host Neto Chemane receives his tributes as he signs off for the last time on the show.

Golden Gloves CEO Rodney Berman joins Channel Africa’s Babazile Makhubalo to discuss the recently announced Sole Survivor: The Final, where a record‑breaking $70 000 prize purse will be on the line.  Berman outlines what fans can expect from the tournament, why this edition is historic, and how the mega‑event is set to shape the future of South African boxing.

Asiashu Tshitamba and Peace Nguphane join us in the studio to talk about the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa Season 2, First Round, set for Friday, April 10, 2026, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. The two fighters share their preparations, their expectations for the upcoming bout, and what fans can look forward to as PFL Africa returns for another explosive season.

Lions cricketer Khaya Fakude speaks to Channel Africa’s Babazile Makhubalo about the current domestic season, his performance so far, and his ambitions to represent the senior national team. He reflects on his development as a player, the challenges and opportunities within South Africa’s cricket landscape, and what it will take to break into the Proteas setup.

Channel Africa’s Babazile Makhubalo is live at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, speaking to Letshego Zulu and Remofilwe Moeketsi, who are competing under Team AVIS South Africa. The duo shares their experience of taking on one of the world’s toughest mountain‑bike stage races, reflecting on the physical and mental endurance required, the power of teamwork, and what it means to represent Team AVIS on such a global platform.

NBA South Africa Head, Zeph Masote in conversation with Channel Africa's Babazile Makhubalo on the upcoming Basketball Africa League which will feature the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 42 games across the Kalahari Conference Group Phase from March 27 to April 5 in Pretoria, the Sahara Conference Group Phase from April 24 to May 3 in Rabat, Morocco, and the Playoffs and Finals from May 22 to May 31 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Sipho Mona the General Manager of the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy, an event organizer, commentator, and advocate for developing African cycling talent on the Absa Cape epic preparations.

Pool player Palesa Ngwenya a player in the SABF Ladies National Blackball Singles in conversation with Babazile Makhubalo on her ambitions to conquer National & Continental Champs building up to  2026 World Blackball Championships in Cape Town between October and November.

Our Uganda correspondent based in Kampala, Sam Mpoza gives us the latest news from East Africa.

Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Kelvin Ono Akpe in conversation with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about their partnership with FC Barcelona.

Our Zambian correspondent based in Lusaka gives us the latest news from Zambia..

Heather Mpofu, Event Director at Kyalami Park Club speaks to Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about the 2026 Toyota Equestrian Series.

South African basketball player David Craig  joins Channel Africa's Neto Chemane in studio to talk about his career and latest move to Johannesburg Giants.

Siyasanga Monoalibe, a dedicated sports reporter for Sunday World who covers a wide range of athletic disciplines speak to Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about  the Kaizer Chiefs fans that  picketed outside the gates of the famous Chiefs Village in Naturena.

Karryn Greenleaf a high-profile marketing executive in conversation with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about the One Voice – For the Fans campaign.

Channel Africa's Neto Chemane cross live to FNB Stadium to speak with former Chiefs player Mandla Masango about the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Channel Africa's Neto Chemane in conversation with Rodney Berman, legendary South African Boxing Promoter following the major announcement that Siya Kuse will get his golden chance, a rematch with WBC kingpin Melvin Jerusalem, at Emperors Palace.

Tsholofelo Lejaka, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boxing South Africa (BSA) chats with Neto Chemane on the latest boxing developments.

Our Zambian correspondent based in Lusaka on the development of women's rugby in the continent.

Our Nigerian correspondent based in Lagos gives us the latest from East Africa.

Mihlali Lerato Mehlomakulu a South African motorsport administrator and businesswoman in conversation with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about the 2026 South African Endurance Series season.

Our Zambian correspondent based in Lusaka, Namuchana on various sports news making headlines across the continent. 

Our UK based correspondent Geshom "Sir G" Nyathi in conversation with  Channel Africa's Neto Chemane as they preview key fixtures in the English Premier League.

Our Kenyan correspondent based in Nairobi, Francis Mutegi gives us the latest from East Africa, including the Magical Kenya Open amongst others.

Long jump and Sprinting sensation Atanga Naane in conversation with Channel Africa's Neto Chemane about her rise in Track and Field. 

 Lebo Mphela-Ndlazi Head of Marketing at St Peter’s college  on the ongoing Old Petrian's Sports Tournament currently underway. Lebo is joined by Teenager in Sport: Student from Soweto Basketball Academy and Student from St Peter’s College - Phenyo Mabotja.

Simamkele Tutsheni, the current IBO All‑Africa champion, is in conversation with Channel Africa’s Neto Chemane about her upcoming IBO World Title shot against Poland’s undefeated Laura Grzyb next month.

Our Nairobi‑based correspondent, Francis Mutegi, brings us the latest updates from East Africa, including Kenya’s U20 World Cup qualifier against Tanzania, and preparations for AFCON 2027, as CAF President Patrice Motsepe reiterates that there is no intention of altering the PAMOJA hosts despite ongoing speculation.

Karate teenage sensation Olwethu Mbiko, who recently secured first place in the boys’ 12–14 age category at a competition hosted by the African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO), is in the studio to talk about his aspiring career.

Channel Africa’s Neto Chemane is in conversation with Shihan Thulane Sibisi, a renowned Kyokushin karate master, founder of the African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO), and the South Africa Country Representative for the International Kyokushinkai Karate Federation (IKKF).

Our Kampala‑based correspondent, Sam Mpoza, brings us the latest and exclusive sports news from East Africa.