Recently, there has been a tremendous effort by the National Football League (NFL) to build on the legacy for American football across Africa. As part of this move, the NFL in collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has been hosting a series of wraparound activities in Cairo Egypt. These activities includes a continental NFL Flag youth championships for U12’s boys and girls teams from across Africa; an NFL talent identification session, with the potential for players to advance to the NFL Africa-Europe Academy and International Player Pathway (IPP) program; in partnership with IFAF and including the participation of NFL/ IFAF Global Flag football Ambassador Elisa de Santis (FRA), a coaching education clinic for aspiring female coaches from Africa.
These events came as sidelines to the IFAF African Flag Football World Championships which took place from June 20th to 21th in Cairo, and hosted by the Egyptian Federation of American Football. These efforts are supported by two current NFL players, New York Giants’ Bobby Okereke of Nigeria and Tanoh Kpassagnon of Cote d’Ivoire and both traveled to Cairo from their bases in the United States to join these activities. Also present to witness the historic finals session is a two-time Super Bowl winner and NFL Africa lead Osi Umenyiora.
Africa naturally is tilted towards Football, which Americans and Canadians call Soccer, because they already have their own Football which has yet to take roots in Africa. Aside from football which is so rooted across the continent that it is almost at par with religion, parts of Africa, especially southern Africa is home to a Rugby tradition which is the closest the continent comes to the American type Football. South Africa is also home to a good number of Cricketers, having a good Indian population, this is not surprising. But Football is the most popular sport in Africa.
While Basketball has gained good traction, American Football and Baseball remain at the fringes. This probably, is what the NFL is trying to change with its focus on Africa. Speaking about this development during Africa’s first continental championship which Nigeria won for both male and female, Osi Umenyiora said that “The first African Continental Championship was a tremendous success, and Egypt proved to be the perfect host as we continue our journey to grow flag football across Africa,” adding that “It was inspiring to see nations from across the continent come together for the two-day event and showcase the incredible talent of their young athletes. The NFL is proud to partner with IFAF to help grow the game of flag football, especially as we look ahead to its debut at the LA28 Olympic Games.”
The IFAF President Pierre Trochet said that “Every player and official who set foot on the field in Cairo this week can claim a piece of history. I’m enormously proud and grateful to our Egyptian federations, who hosted this milestone event with great professionalism and warmth. But history is less important than the future and what this tournament has demonstrated is the enormous talent and passion for the game that exists right across the African continent. We know this event is just the start and, together with our NFL partners, we are committed to ensuring it acts as a springboard to the long-term development of our game.”
Expressing his overwhelming commendation for the development, the Egyptian Federation of American Football President Ali Rafeek said that “No words can truly capture the emotion of this moment. It was a world-class competition filled with outstanding performances and, above all, incredible energy. We’ve been building toward this moment for a while with IFAF leadership and our fellow federations, and we’re proud to see that hard work come to life. Africa is officially on the flag football map, and we’re only getting started.”
The event in Cairo also witnessed the kick-off of IFAF’s new, comprehensive partnership with the International Testing Agency, whose staff were present to deliver anti-doping education activities for participating athletes and team officials. The IFAF Flag Football Continental Championship series will continue in September with the EURO FLAG 2025 event in Paris, France.
Nigeria’s women’s and men’s teams have been crowned the inaugural IFAF African Flag Football champions as the sport marked a major milestone on its journey to a first Olympic Games appearance in Los Angeles 2028. The Nigerian men edged a thrilling final game, winning 13-12 to claim gold over hosts Egypt in front of a loud and high-spirited home crowd inside the Club One Stadium in Maadi, Cairo, where distinguished guests included Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sport Dr Ashraf Sobhi.
In the women’s tournament, Nigeria put out a confident performance to take victory over Morocco 26-12 in the final, with two decisive second half touchdowns thrown by quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello. Bronze medalists Tunisia (men) and Egypt (women) completed the historic podiums.
In total, 11 teams from eight nations, spanning the African continent, participated in Africa Flag – the first of IFAF’s continental championships series for 2025 and the starting point for what will be the biggest and most important competition cycle in flag football history, culminating in the Olympic Games LA28.
As African champions, Nigeria’s men and women qualify directly to the IFAF Flag Football World Championships in 2026. The event also saw 10 national teams earn their first official world rankings. “This is a great achievement for us and I’m proud of every woman out here,” said Nigeria women’s gold medalist Anuoluwapo Bello. “I feel excited for the girls here. There is an opportunity to go to the World Championships and show everyone what we can do.”
“It’s amazing, it’s surreal, it’s history, it’s unbelievable,” said Nigeria men’s quarterback Hayes Obinna-Uzoh. “We’ve made history.” According to Egypt men’s quarterback Mahmoud Aboushady said: “We went for it, but we came up just short. The crowd was awesome, and it was a big crowd who were all cheering and that was really touching.” Morocco women’s center silver medalist Sonia Mouimen added: “We usually don’t see crowds of this size making so much noise unless it is at soccer matches. I am very proud of my team.”
One of the world’s fastest-growing sports, flag football is developing quickly across Africa, with many of IFAF’s member federations in the continent recording more than 100% growth in participation last year. The Africa Flag 2025 tournament was delivered in partnership with the NFL in collaboration with the IFAF to drive the development of flag football in Africa.
It is not a question of if, but when this sport gains huge followership across Africa, what shall we call it? Football, or American Football? Because I do not see African calling their darling football soccer.
References:
- “Nigeria secure historic double as first African flag football champions” Editorial column of Football Foundation Africa. 22 June 2025
- “NFL Flag holds initiatives in Cairo” IFAF website. 21 June 2025
- “Cairo hosts Africa’s first official Flag Football championship as Olympic hopes rise and NFL expands on the continent” By Kaoutar Alaidi for Sports Gazette. June 25, 2025
- “Exclusive: Football-IFAF expands flag championships to Africa ahead of LA28” By Amy Tennery and Rory Carroll. Reuters. 15 April 2025
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Edited by Kehinde Fagbuaro
