Nigeria Eyes Olympic Glory After Dominating African Flag Football Championship

Nigeria’s men’s and women’s flag football teams are celebrating a historic triumph after winning gold at the inaugural African Flag Football Championship, securing their place in next year’s World Championships and positioning themselves as strong contenders for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Hosted in Cairo, Egypt, the tournament marked the first step on the continent’s journey to flag football’s Olympic debut. The Nigerian teams edged past strong rivals to clinch both gold medals—the men narrowly defeating Egypt 13-12, while the women outclassed Morocco 26-12 in a commanding display.

Nigeria Targets Olympic Breakthrough

Oluwaseye Obatolu, vice president of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), called the double victory “deeply symbolic” and emphasized Nigeria’s ambitions beyond just participation.

“Our focus now is clear—we’re not just attending the World Championships, we’re going to compete. Our eyes are firmly set on Los Angeles 2028,” Obatolu said in an interview.

A Milestone for African Flag Football

The tournament featured 11 teams from eight African nations, organized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) as part of its 2025 continental series.

For Nigeria, the victories are a powerful validation of grassroots dedication to the sport. Obatolu noted, “This isn’t just a win, it’s the beginning of a movement for flag football in Africa.”

Bronze medals went to Tunisia (men) and Egypt (women). IFAF President Pierre Trochet lauded the Nigerian teams on social media, stating, “Africa can be proud. Your champions will carry our community high!”

As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 World Championships, excitement is building at home and abroad. With flag football now officially on the Olympic program for LA 2028, Nigeria is determined to make its mark on the global stage and bring a uniquely African flair to a rising international sport