July 2024 Archive — Top stories from Africa Daily Dispatch
July packed a lot into a short month: high-stakes sports, sharp political moves, local service headaches and a few moments that stopped people scrolling. This archive page groups the biggest stories we ran in July 2024 so you can find what mattered fast — from live match streams to local water disruptions and major investigations.
Sports dominated much of the feed. We covered club friendlies like Barcelona vs. Manchester City and Arsenal vs. Bournemouth with TV and streaming details so fans didn’t miss kick-off. Major competitions and player news also landed: Messi’s ankle issue and Inter Miami previews, Copa America streaming tips for USA vs. Uruguay, plus MLS and European transfer talk — Federico Chiesa’s price tag, Vivianne Miedema’s Manchester City move, and Barcelona’s push for Nico Williams. UFC 304 grabbed attention too: Tom Aspinall’s knockout and the callout to Jon Jones made waves alongside the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad title clash.
On the pitch and at the club level, coaching and discipline headlines moved quickly. Chelsea’s tactical shifts under Enzo Maresca and a disciplinary case involving Enzo Fernández made fans and pundits react. Young prospects also drew eyes — Manchester United chasing Chido Obi-Martin was one of several youth transfer stories we followed.
Closer to home, we tracked issues that affect daily life. Rand Water’s maintenance left parts of Johannesburg short on supply, and we explained which areas were affected and how long recovery might take. In football news for the continent, Kaizer Chiefs named Nasreddine Nabi as head coach and Egyptian player Ahmed Refaat’s tragic death was widely mourned. In Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi firmly denied any sale of JKIA while outlining modernization plans.
Politics and legal updates kept the month tense. The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa signaled potential action around a gender-based violence bill, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations opened inquiries tied to historical claims about Tom Mboya’s assassination. Global moments — a shooting at a Trump rally and world leaders’ reactions, Biden’s slip with Zelensky, and Moody’s warning on France after an election stalemate — also made the headlines.
Why these stories matter
They show how sport, governance, and local services connect to daily life. Match coverage tells you where to watch and how squads are shaping up. Political and legal pieces reveal policy shifts and accountability fights that can change services and rights. Local reports — like water outages — explain immediate impacts and short-term fixes.
How to use this archive
Scan the headlines above, click the stories you want, or search by tag (Sports, Politics, Local, Business). Want quick updates? Subscribe or follow our sports and local issue tags for push alerts on big developments. If you’re researching one topic — transfers, court action, or service outages — start with the related headlines here and use the on-page filters to narrow results.
Need help finding a specific July story? Ask and we’ll point you straight to it.
Watch Barcelona vs. Manchester City Live: Stream, TV Channel & Start Time for Club Friendly
Details on how to watch the friendly match between Barcelona and Manchester City on July 31, 2024, at 8:00 PM EDT. Broadcasting on ESPN2 and streaming on various platforms, this game is a vital preseason tune-up for both teams. Barcelona aims to recover from last season, while Manchester City looks to maintain its tempo.
Celebrated Actress and Comedian Erica Ash Dies at 46 After Battle With Cancer
Erica Ash, known for her dynamic roles in 'Survivor's Remorse', 'Real Husbands of Hollywood', and 'MADtv', has passed away at 46 following a protracted struggle with cancer. Ash's notable work includes her portrayal of M-Chuck Calloway and appearances in numerous films. Her family honors her memory by encouraging donations to cancer foundations.
Rand Water Maintenance Nears Completion Amid Persistent Water Shortages
Rand Water's infrastructure maintenance project, which began on June 22, is nearing completion, but residents continue to struggle with water shortages. The final phase focuses on Palmiet and Mapleton stations, causing a total of 117 hours of water outages. Full recovery is expected to take several days post-maintenance, with alternative supplies provided in affected areas.
Tom Aspinall Challenges Jon Jones After Spectacular UFC 304 Knockout Victory
Tom Aspinall delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Aspinall called out Jon Jones for a title shot right after his win. The event also saw Leon Edwards lose to Belal Muhammad in a welterweight bout, ending his winning streak since 2017. Held in London before a sold-out crowd, UFC 304 highlighted several rising stars, including Paddy Pimblett.
UFC 304 Fight Card and Predictions: How to Watch Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad in Manchester
UFC 304 is set for July 27, 2024, at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, with a welterweight title clash between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad headlining the event. Edwards is favored to win, with a co-main event featuring Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout. The event will air on ESPN pay-per-view in the US.
How Enzo Maresca's High-Pressing Style Could Transform Chelsea's Gameplay
Newly appointed Chelsea assistant coach, Enzo Maresca, brings a high-intensity, high-pressing style that could significantly change the team's gameplay. Known for his aggressive tactics at Sevilla, where he led the team to a Europa League title, Maresca's strategies could align well with manager Mauricio Pochettino's philosophy. This article examines how Chelsea supporters may react to these potential changes.
MrBeast Hires Investigators Amidst Controversy Surrounding Ava Kris Tyson Grooming Allegations
Popular YouTuber MrBeast has enlisted investigators to scrutinize claims involving his former collaborator Ava Kris Tyson. The allegations assert that Tyson sent inappropriate messages to a teenager during her early twenties. MrBeast, disgusted by the charges, severed professional ties while awaiting investigation results. Tyson has apologized, and the alleged victim contests the narrative.
How to Watch Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth LIVE STREAM - Club Friendly Soccer Match
Learn how to watch Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth in their club friendly on July 24, 2024. The match is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at the Dignity Health Sports Park, and fans can stream it on ESPN+. Soccer leagues and player unions plan to file a complaint with the European Commission about FIFA's expanded schedule due to concerns over player health and economic interests.
Women's Organization Eyes Legal Action Against Cyril Ramaphosa, Spotlights Gender-Based Violence Bill
The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) plans legal action against President Cyril Ramaphosa due to concerns over the gender-based violence bill's implementation. ISLA, part of the Called to Action group, seeks to ensure effective measures against gender-based violence in South Africa, highlighting the government's constitutional obligation.
JKIA Not Up for Sale, Mudavadi Reassures Amidst Online Speculation
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has set the record straight: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is not for sale. Addressing online rumors and MPs, Mudavadi emphasized the facility's strategic importance and outlined plans for modernization but assured that any major developments would involve public endorsement and parliamentary approval.
Lionel Messi Sidelined With Ankle Injury: Impact on Inter Miami's Upcoming Matches
Lionel Messi has sustained an injury to his right ankle ligament during the Copa America 2024, leading to his absence in at least two games for Inter Miami. The injury was confirmed by the club’s communications department, and his availability will depend on recovery assessments. Head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino is hopeful for a quick recovery, but Messi's presence will be missed in the Leagues Cup group stage.
Deborah Barasa’s Urgent Debt Resolution Could Influence Her Health CS Nominee Confirmation
Dr. Deborah Barasa, President William Ruto's nominee for Health Cabinet Secretary, faced a significant challenge in her confirmation process due to an outstanding Sh80,050 debt to the KMPDC. Following social media scrutiny, she swiftly settled the debt and was reinstated on the KMPDC register, paving the way for her potential confirmation by Parliament.