The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) has announced its participation in the maiden edition of the IFAF Africa Flag 2025 Championship, with plans to field three teams at the historic event.

The tournament, which marks the first-ever International Federation of American Football (IFAF) continental championship in Africa, will take place from June 20 to 21 at the Club One Maadi Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Nigeria will be one of eight countries competing and will be represented by three squads: the men’s national team, the women’s national team, and an U-13 side.

Speaking during a meeting with the National Sports Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, NAFA president Babajide Akeredolu shared the federation’s plans with NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade.

“This is the result of the work we’ve been doing since 2019 in collaboration with the Nigeria School Sports Federation,” Akeredolu said. “Over the past five years, more than 17,000 children have participated in our league initiatives. We now have thriving flag football leagues in Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun State. We’ve built a pipeline of talent, and we’re ready.”

He added that Nigeria aims to lead the continent by becoming Africa’s representative at the IFAF World Championships in the United States next year.

Flag football has gained global momentum since being added to the Olympic program, prompting efforts across Africa to organize a continental championship. With the joint efforts of national federations and IFAF, this vision has finally come to life. NAFA president included.

Dikko and Olopade both praised NAFA’s strides in growing the sport locally, applauding the strategic planning and development seen in recent years.

In the men’s category, Nigeria will compete in Group A alongside host nation Egypt, Cameroon, and South Africa. Group B features Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uganda.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, June 21, where the top teams from each group will face the second-placed teams from the opposite group for a chance to play in the final and claim the inaugural African title.

Meanwhile, third and fourth placed teams in each group will contest classification matches to determine final rankings.

With three teams in contention and a deep-rooted development structure in place, Nigeria is not just participating but aiming to lead from the front.