Nigeria Dominates Inaugural IFAF Flag Football Tournament, Uganda Learns Valuable Lessons

Nigeria's Dominance in IFAF African Flag Football Tournament
Nigeria's Victory in Men's and Women's Categories
Uganda's Learning Experience and Positive Takeaways
Performance of Other African Nations
Qualification for 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships
Celebration of Sportsmanship and Development in African Flag Football

Key Takeaways

Nigeria's men's and women's teams emerged as champions in the inaugural IFAF African flag football tournament held in Egypt.
Both Nigerian teams secured their spots as the first qualifiers for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Uganda gained valuable experience and lessons from the tournament, showcasing a positive attitude towards learning and improvement.
Tunisia claimed third place, while Cameroon and South Africa secured fifth and seventh place, respectively, in the tournament.
The event not only showcased the talent of African teams but also recognized the dedication of African flag football officials in officiating matches.

In a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, Nigeria asserted its dominance in the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) African flag football tournament, with both their men's and women's teams clinching the championship titles. The event, held in Egypt, saw Nigeria emerge victorious against strong competitors.

The women's team from Nigeria displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, securing a 26-12 victory over Morocco in the final match. Quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello expressed pride in her team's performance, highlighting their resilience and ability to secure a win when it mattered most.

On the men's side, Nigeria faced off against Egypt in a closely contested final, ultimately prevailing with a narrow 13-12 victory. Quarterback Hayes Obinna-Uzoh emphasized the significance of their win, citing the team's defensive prowess as a key factor in their success.

By winning the tournament, both Nigerian teams have earned the distinction of being the first qualifiers for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, where they will have the opportunity to represent Africa among 16 nations competing on a global stage.

While Nigeria celebrated their triumph, Uganda also played a vital role in the tournament, gaining valuable experience and lessons from their participation. Despite facing tough competition, Uganda's players and coaching staff embraced the opportunity to learn and improve, with coach Steven George Okeng highlighting the positive takeaways from the championship.

Throughout the tournament, teams from various African nations showcased their talent and sportsmanship, with Tunisia securing third place overall by defeating Morocco. Cameroon and South Africa also demonstrated their skills, claiming fifth and seventh place, respectively.

The IFAF African flag football tournament not only highlighted the athletic prowess of the participating teams but also celebrated the dedication and development of African flag football officials, who officiated matches alongside international referees.

As the competition concluded, the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie prevailed, with players from different nations coming together to celebrate the growth of American football in Africa and the promising future of flag football on the continent.