Africa entered a new chapter in its sporting history this weekend as it hosted its first official continental Flag Football championship, a landmark moment in the global expansion of the sport and its path toward Olympic inclusion.
Held over two days in Cairo, the Africa Flag 2025 tournament marked the first time the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) staged a sanctioned competition in Africa. The event was organised in partnership with the NFL and the Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF), and brought together men’s and women’s national teams from Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa.
But beyond the results and scorelines, the tournament carries a broader global weight: Africa Flag 2025 is part of the qualifying pathway to the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship, which will determine participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its official debut.
NFL brings its full footprint to Africa
For the NFL, this championship is more than a promotional showcase — it’s a structural investment. The event marked the first time the NFL Africa programme extended its reach to Egypt, after launching in Ghana and Nigeria in 2022. In Cairo, the league oversaw talent identification camps, youth development sessions, and player engagement through elite pathways such as the NFL Academy Europe-Africa and the International Player Pathway Programme (IPPP).
According to league officials, flag football participation in Egypt has surged by 149% since 2023, while Nigeria has reported an 85% increase, largely attributed to school-level integration and local media exposure.
Flag football on African soil
Played as a non-contact version of American football, flag football — with its speed, strategy, and minimal equipment needs — makes the sport more accessible to African teams and players, It offers a safer and more affordable alternative for countries with limited access to traditional American football infrastructure.
The women’s competition in Cairo saw Nigeria dominate the group stages and reach the final alongside Morocco, a first-time participant in the sport. Morocco made a remarkable international debut by advancing all the way to the final, defeating more experienced sides in both the group and knockout stages before meeting Nigeria in the title match. Despite a strong performance, they fell short in the final, losing 26–12 to the eventual champions.
Meriem Zaafari, a Moroccan flag football player who took part in the tournament in Cairo, described the experience as “amazing” and deeply meaningful. “It was our opportunity to chase our dream and prove ourselves in this sport,” she said. “Even though there’s very little investment or support for flag football in Morocco, we still pushed forward.”
Zaafari highlighted the significance of the moment: “This was the first time in history that Morocco participated in this sport, and we were proud to represent our country. We gave everything we had to achieve something special.” Despite facing doubt from other teams and the lack of media attention, the Moroccan squad defied expectations and reached the final, facing Nigeria. “Some teams didn’t take us seriously, and the lack of media coverage was disappointing,” she added. “But we tried to show the world what we’re capable of, and reaching the final in our first-ever appearance was a big statement.
Nigeria’s triumph carried more than just continental glory. Under IFAF’s qualification structure, only the tournament winner would secure Africa’s sole spot in the women’s 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship — a key step toward the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. As such, Nigeria’s victory granted them direct qualification, while Morocco, despite their exceptional and historic run to the final, narrowly missed out due to the winner-takes-all format.
The event also attracted notable current and former NFL players of African heritage, including Bobby Okereke and Brian Asamoah II, who mentored players and participated in youth coaching clinics.
From Cairo to Los Angeles: Olympic significance changes the game
The decision to include flag football in the 2028 Olympic Games has transformed the sport’s status worldwide. While flag football has long had a presence in the Americas and Europe, Africa had never before been integrated into the formal IFAF and Olympic qualification systems. Until now.
“This is not just history — it’s an entry ticket to the world’s biggest stage,” said IFAF Africa director Jean-Michel Chapon.
Kaoutar Alaidi
A Moroccan sports journalist based in London, currently serving as the football writer for Sports Gazette. With a passion for international sports journalism, football, and Formula 1, she has covered numerous football matches over the past three years. Alongside her journalism career, Kaoutar is particularly focused on football marketing, player transfers, and market value analysis.
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