Sonny Side of Sports - VOA Africa

Tuesday's show is topped by Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur, who has reached a career-high #3 in the women's world rankings.

The 27-year-old Jabeur continued her strong season over the weekend by lifting the Berlin Open trophy in Germany. It was her third career title.

And her climb to #3 equals the highest singles ranking for any African player - male or female - matching the place reached by South Africa's Amanda Coetzer in November 1997.

Also on Tuesday's show, Mugume Davis Rwakaringi in Kampala profiles Ugandan women's football player Hasifah Nassuna.

It's World Refugee Day, and on Monday's show, VOA's Gwen Outen will profile Anjelina Lohalith, who will compete on an Athlete Refugee Team at next month's World Athletics Championships in the US city of Eugene, Oregon.

Lohalith is originally from South Sudan, and she's also competed in two Olympics - the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and last year's Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Also on the program, "Iron Mike" Mbonye talks with Fisayo Dairo, the chief football writer at www.aclsports.com, about Senegalese star Sadio Mane's move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich.

It's World Refugee Day, and on Monday's show, VOA's Gwen Outen will profile Anjelina Lohalith, who will compete on an Athlete Refugee Team at next month's World Athletics Championships in the US city of Eugene, Oregon.

Lohalith is originally from South Sudan, and she's also competed in two Olympics - the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and last year's Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Also on the program, "Iron Mike" Mbonye talks with Fisayo Dairo, the chief football writer at www.aclsports.com, about Senegalese star Sadio Mane's move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich.

Friday's show tips off with a Sonny Side of Sports salute to the Golden State Warriors, who lifted their fourth NBA trophy in the past eight years after a 103-90 victory over the Boston Celtics.

We'll hear from Golden State's star guard Stephen Curry, who was named the MVP of the NBA Finals.

Also on the program, FIFA president Gianni Infantino comments on the 2026 World Cup and VOA's Gwen Outen has a report on the 16 cities that will stage matches during football's premier event in 2026.

Friday's show tips off with a Sonny Side of Sports salute to the Golden State Warriors, who lifted their fourth NBA trophy in the past eight years after a 103-90 victory over the Boston Celtics.

We'll hear from Golden State's star guard Stephen Curry, who was named the MVP of the NBA Finals.

Also on the program, FIFA president Gianni Infantino comments on the 2026 World Cup and VOA's Gwen Outen has a report on the 16 cities that will stage matches during football's premier event in 2026.

On Thursday's show, "The Energetic" Andy Edwards catches up with American sprinter Gabby Thomas, a medal favorite for Team USA at next month's world championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Gabby won two medals at last year's Tokyo Olympics, and she says the competition in Eugene "will be great for athletics in America" and she expects "some blazing performances."

Also on the program, Sonny has an update on Kenya's African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, who also is aiming for a blazing time in Eugene.

On your marks, get set, GO! It's the Sonny Side of Sports!!

On Thursday's show, "The Energetic" Andy Edwards catches up with American sprinter Gabby Thomas, a medal favorite for Team USA at next month's world championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Gabby won two medals at last year's Tokyo Olympics, and she says the competition in Eugene "will be great for athletics in America" and she expects "some blazing performances."

Also on the program, Sonny has an update on Kenya's African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, who also is aiming for a blazing time in Eugene.

On your marks, get set, GO! It's the Sonny Side of Sports!!

Costa Rica beat 10-man New Zealand Monday, 1-0, to earn the last place in the 32-team FIFA World Cup football tournament in November. Joel Campbell (L) scored the goal in the third minute of the intercontinental playoff, which was held in World Cup host country Qatar.

New Zealand's head coach, Danny Hay, criticized the officiating, and we'll hear his comments on Wednesday's show. New Zealand had an equalizing goal disallowed by video review, and another video review led to a 69th minute red card for Kosta Barbarouses.

Also on Wednesday's program, Athletics Federation of Nigeria Technical Director Samuel Onikeku talks about next month's world championships and the recent African Athletics Championships.

Costa Rica beat 10-man New Zealand Monday, 1-0, to earn the last place in the 32-team FIFA World Cup football tournament in November. Joel Campbell (L) scored the goal in the third minute of the intercontinental playoff, which was held in World Cup host country Qatar.

New Zealand's head coach, Danny Hay, criticized the officiating, and we'll hear his comments on Wednesday's show. New Zealand had an equalizing goal disallowed by video review, and another video review led to a 69th minute red card for Kosta Barbarouses.

Also on Wednesday's program, Athletics Federation of Nigeria Technical Director Samuel Onikeku talks about next month's world championships and the recent African Athletics Championships.

Australia beat Peru Monday, 5-4 on penalty kicks, to qualify for a fifth consecutive World Cup football tournament. Awer Mabil (R), who was born to South Sudanese parents in a Kenyan refugee camp, scored Australia's final spot kick. He said it was "a thank you to Australia," the country that took him in. Sonny will recap the Australia v Peru match, which was played in 2022 World Cup host country Qatar, as well as Monday's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.