As someone who has the privilege of sitting across some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment, I have learnt that the best conversations are the ones that move beyond the headlines. My conversation with award winning sports broadcaster, journalist and digital creator Sirayah Shiraz, alongside acclaimed Kenyan actress, producer and television host Sarah Hassan, did exactly that. While football brought us together during the FIFA World Cup, what unfolded was a conversation about identity, resilience, representation and Africa’s limitless potential.

For Sarah, South Africa has felt like home. Beyond work and football conversations, it was the warmth of the people that stood out the most.

“Everyone on the Morning Cup, the cast and crew, and the people I’m meeting have been lovely and kind,” she shared.

As our conversation unfolded, food naturally entered the discussion. Sarah laughed as she explained that Kenya’s famous Nyama Choma is essentially South Africa’s braai, proving once again that although Africa is diverse, many of our traditions are beautifully connected.

Sirayah admitted that South Africa’s vibrant city life had completely won her over. The energy, the culture and, of course, Amapiano have left a lasting impression. She joked that the hit song Banyana deserves a passport because it needs to be taken straight back to London so the ladies can dance to it.

Although no African nation reached the latter stages of the tournament, both women believe there is plenty for the continent to celebrate.

Sirayah believes Egypt should leave with pride despite the results, “we put out phenomenal performances. We took the game to Europeans and South Americans who have been more advanced.”
Sarah was equally passionate when speaking about Cape Verde.
“It was their first World Cup and they definitely stole a whole lot of hearts. For a country that size, they played fantastic.”

When I asked which players had stood out during the tournament, Sirayah took a different approach.
“What I love about this tournament is that the goalkeepers have had their time to shine.”

She highlighted Cape Verde’s Vozinha, Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy and Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand, praising how they repeatedly kept their nations alive with crucial saves throughout the competition. Yet, she believes every superstar rose to the occasion, “the semi finals featured the four highest ranked teams in the world, so seeing players like Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal perform at that level was quite remarkable.”

When I asked about England, Sarah delivered perhaps the most relatable description of the tournament, “England was the complicated main character. You want to believe them. It’s always almost. It’s like that ex you keep going back to.”

For her, that unpredictability is exactly what made this World Cup unforgettable. From emotional celebrations like Lopes Cabral running straight to his girlfriend, to family members sharing unforgettable moments from the stands, every match carried its own story. The countdown to kick off, the passion in the stands and the emotions after every final whistle reminded fans why football remains the beautiful game.

Their love for the beautiful game started long before television cameras.

Sirayah smiled as she remembered receiving a France onesie and a Chelsea onesie from her mother’s best friend during childhood. Those gifts unknowingly helped shape her football identity. At home, football rivalry was unavoidable as her mother supports Arsenal while her father supports Tottenham Hotspur.

Sarah’s football roots are equally personal, “most people support Arsenal in Kenya. When Arsenal won the league, roads were blocked.”

While both women are now familiar faces on screen, neither planned this career.

Sirayah started as a tax accountant before moving into the media space. A project she was working on had partnered with the Premier League on a marketing event featuring Marcus Rashford. Plot twist, the presenter failed to arrive and “I had to interview Marcus Rashford,” which lit a fire in her.

That unexpected opportunity changed everything. Determined to succeed, she contacted producers and presenters, asking how to enter an industry where very few people looked like her. Chelsea became her first broadcasting home, presenting across the men’s, women’s and academy teams before expanding into digital content, podcasts and eventually Premier League broadcasting.

“For someone like me, versatility isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.”

Sarah’s path was equally unconventional. She studied actuarial science, briefly worked in insurance before deciding to pursue acting full time. She later attended film school to understand every role behind the camera, giving her a deeper appreciation of storytelling as both an actress and producer.

Both agreed that rejection remains one of the biggest challenges in the creative industry.

“You hear far more no’s than yes,” Sirayah admitted.

Sarah added, “It isn’t normal to be rejected left and right, but eventually you learn that it’s okay, even though it breaks your heart.”

As our conversation drew to a close, I wanted to know what they believed Africa needed to bridge the gap with the world’s best.

“European players don’t even have to think about those things,” Sirayah explained. “Better investment, stronger infrastructure, transport, accommodation and player welfare are essential. North Africa has shown what happens when you invest in the right structures.”

Sarah agreed.

“We need to learn why we crack in the final moments. Invest in the teams and infrastructure. This is the beginning for Africa. From here, we should only keep moving forward.”

As I wrapped up the conversation, I couldn’t help but appreciate what Sarah Hassan and Sirayah Shiraz represent. They are more than accomplished women in their respective industries. They are storytellers, trailblazers and proof that African excellence belongs on the world’s biggest stages. Their journeys remind us that success rarely follows a straight line, but passion, resilience and purpose will always find a way. If this conversation is anything to go by, the future of African storytelling, sports broadcasting and entertainment is not only bright, it is in incredibly safe hands.