Nigeria target flag football berths at LA 2028 Olympics

Nigeria's men and women have qualified for next year's Flag Football World Championships

Nigeria is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after its men's and women's teams were both victorious at the inaugural African Flag Football Championship.

The sport is a non-contact variant of American football, where players need to pull a flag off the person with the ball instead of tackling their opponent to the ground.

Flag football will make its Olympic debut at LA 2028 and, as African champions, both Nigerian sides have earned direct qualification for next year's Flag Football World Championships.

Oluwaseye Obatolu, the vice president of the Nigeria American Football Association (Nafa), described the nation's triumphs in Egypt on Saturday as "deeply symbolic".

"It was a moment of immense pride to be the first [African] nation, both men and women, to qualify for the World Championships," Obatolu told BBC Sport Africa.

"Our focus now is clear - we are not just attending the World Championships, we're going to compete. Our eyes are firmly set on Los Angeles 2028."

The first African Flag Football Championship, which was organised by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), featured a total of 11 teams from eight countries across the continent.

'Validation' for players

The championship was the first in IFAF's new continental series for 2025 and a pivotal moment on the road to the sport's Olympic debut.

Nigeria's men edged a thrilling final in Cairo, winning 13-12 to claim gold over the hosts.

In the women's tournament, the West Africans delivered a commanding performance to defeat Morocco 26-12 to secure the title.

"For the players, it's a validation of years of dedication, often in the shadows without recognition," Obatolu added.

"This isn't just a win, it's the beginning of a movement for flag football in Africa."

Tunisia and Egypt earned the bronze medal in the men's and women's tournaments respectively.

"To Nigeria American Football Association - your pride, effort and spirit led to this outstanding result," IFAF president Pierre Trochet said in a post on social media.

"Africa can be proud. Your champions will carry our community high!"