Honouring African sports figures who passed away in 2024

By Ashiadey Dotse 

In 2024, Africa said goodbye to several sports icons who left lasting legacies in their fields and beyond. From basketball courts to marathon tracks, these figures inspired millions and contributed significantly to society.

Dikembe Mutombo (DR Congo)

NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, known for his towering presence on the basketball court and iconic finger-wagging celebration, passed away at 58 from brain cancer. Beyond sports, Mutombo was celebrated for his humanitarian work, including building a hospital and an educational institute in DR Congo. Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama led global tributes to the basketball star.

Rebecca Cheptegei (Uganda)

Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei tragically died at 33 after a horrific act of gender-based violence. Just weeks after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, she was attacked by a former partner. Her death sparked protests across East Africa, calling for an end to violence against women.

Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya)

Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a car accident at just 24. Known for his extraordinary marathon time of 2:00:35, Kiptum was seen as a future legend destined to break the sub-two-hour marathon barrier in open competition. His untimely death left the world mourning unfulfilled potential.

Rachid Mekhloufi (Algeria)

Algerian football legend Rachid Mekhloufi, who symbolized Algeria’s independence struggle, passed away at 88. Known for leaving his French club to form the FLN team, he used football as a platform for Algeria’s independence campaign. Mekhloufi later coached Algeria and played a key role in their famous 1982 World Cup victory over Germany.

Jacques Freitag (South Africa)

Former world high jump champion Jacques Freitag was tragically found dead in Pretoria with gunshot wounds. Freitag, 42, still holds the African high jump record of 2.38m, set in 2005. His death highlighted the ongoing issue of violent crime in South Africa.

Issa Hayatou (Cameroon)

Issa Hayatou, one of Africa’s most influential sports administrators, passed away at 77. Serving as CAF president for nearly three decades, Hayatou played a key role in expanding African football and improving its infrastructure. Despite facing controversies, he is remembered for his dedication to African sports.

These sporting heroes may be gone, but their legacies will continue to inspire generations across Africa and beyond.

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