With the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag 2025 continental championship in Cairo only a little more than three weeks away, IFAF spoke to head coach of the Egypt women’s team Adham Aladdin about his host team’s historic debut.
Please explain your background in flag and tackle football. How did you become interested in the sport?
“It all started in 2017 when I first strapped on my helmet for the Cairo Hellhounds. As a defensive back, I gave everything on that field, and it paid off with three league titles and the honor of being team captain. Later, I stepped into coaching with the Hellhounds women's flag team.
“I started as an assistant, but by my third season as defensive coordinator, we made history bringing home their first-ever league championship. That feeling was something else. Since my move to Cairo Warriors as a head coach we have won back-to-back league titles. But more than the wins, it's about what this game does for people. Football changes you. It tears down fear and builds up confidence like nothing else. That's why I believe it's the greatest team sport out there.”
How have you identified players for the women’s national team and how was that process?
“We chose players based on their league performances and brought them all together in a training camp. There, they competed while we focused on identifying exactly what we need for the national team. The hardest part? Having to select just 12 players from so many talented athletes.”
Where have players come from?
“Most of our players came from basketball, handball or track backgrounds, and nearly all were based in Cairo and Giza.”
What are the main challenges with creating a completely new national team in a short space of time?
“Most of these players have never shared the field before, and now we’re asking them to trust each other in high-pressure situations. On top of that, they have to learn a brand-new playbook and adapt to a different style of play all in a tight timeframe.”
You must be proud to coach in the first-ever African championships in your home nation, but does that also create pressure to be successful, as the home team?
“We have worked hard for this opportunity. Our focus is on outworking every opponent and executing our game plan. Pressure exists, but we will use it to our advantage rather than let it affect us negatively. The goal is clear - we are here to compete at our highest level and win. Every training session, every drill has led to this moment. Now we must deliver.”
All the national teams playing at the tournament will be competing for the first time. How do you prepare to play against unknown opponents?
“A key focus in our preparation is ensuring the team can adjust mid-game and handle the unexpected. I have full confidence in our coaches’ ability to make the right tactical shifts, and in our players’ capacity to execute under pressure. In competition, surprises will come but we’re building a team that doesn’t just react but adapts and takes control.”
Do you know what you expect your strengths to be and what is your coaching philosophy?
“Balance wins games, but intelligence wins championships. We're building a team that dominates on both sides of the ball through superior football IQ - the kind that adapts in real time and executes under pressure.”
What is the longer-term goal for the team?
“Every tournament is a stepping stone. We're building towards the IFAF World Championships and Olympic competitiveness - growing stronger, smarter, and more united with each competition. Africa Flag 2025 is our first test, but far from our last.”
Not all sports around the world champion female participation. How significant is it to have a women’s team representing Egypt.
“This women's national team represents more than just football - it's about changing the game for Egyptian women in sports. Every time we take the field, we're showing what's possible. We want young girls across Egypt to see our players and realize they too can compete at the highest levels too.”
Photo: EFAF
