History will be made in Egypt on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, 21 when eight nations compete at IFAF Africa Flag 2025 – the inaugural International Federation of American Football African continental championships - at the Club One Maadi Stadium in Cairo.
A head coach or player from each participating men’s and women’s team give their thoughts on IFAF Africa Flag 2025… in their own words:
Men’s competition Group A: Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa
“It’s a huge honor to be part of something historic, especially on home soil. The pride is there, but so is the pressure. You want to represent Egypt well and inspire others locally to take the sport seriously. That said, we’re focused on execution and improvement. The results will follow if we stick to our game.” - Ahmed Sherif Swar, head coach, Egypt
“I believe we have talented athletes across the field. Our offense is very explosive, so we’ll rely on our defense to create stops and apply pressure, because we have the potential to score on every drive. If we have a high-powered offense, we’ll lean into that. If our strength lies in a dominant defense, we’ll adjust our game plan accordingly. The goal is always to find the best way to win.” – Bavuong Souphanthavong, head coach, Cameroon
“We want to be very methodical in our approach. We've got players that can do some flashy things but I'm sure every other team has the same, so we're just trying to establish a good a good offensive rhythm. We want to be solid on defense where everyone knows their assignments. Our offensive schemes are not going to be based on the results of a previous play. We've got a game plan and we’ll be very intentional and tactical in our approach.” - Anthony Shelton, head coach, South Africa
“Our priority has been creating as many match day scenarios as possible to foster team synergy. We’ve already started building chemistry through training camps. While the initial focus has been around preparing tight Team Nigeria for international competition the initiative is not solely focused on Olympic participation. Its broader goal is to integrate flag football into local communities, schools and professional sports ecosystems fostering a culture of inclusivity and athletic excellence.” – Babajide Akeredolu, federation president, Nigeria
Men’s competition Group B: Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda
“We believe the main strength of our team lies in our speed and agility. Flag football is a fast-paced game, and we aim to control the tempo from the start. Our coaching philosophy is simple: create a framework where every player can perform at their highest level. That means minimizing mental errors, avoiding penalties, and letting our players’ natural talent shine.” - Nassim Nouar, head coach, Morocco
“My philosophy is based on three points. Discipline: Maintaining constant rigor in training. Adaptation: Evolving according to the opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Team spirit: Building a culture where everyone plays for the team. Facing unfamiliar opponents will be very difficult for us, but also for others. We will focus on our physical and tactical potential by developing varied game plans adapted to different situations and against different attacking and defensive styles.” - Abdou Diatta, head coach, Senegal
“If you control the ball, you control the game. We have two good quarterbacks who can play both at the same level and they understand that philosophy. They can get the ball into receivers’ hands, and I think that's one of our strengths. But my main goal right now is just to win the next game. And then to win the next game after that, of course, and the ones after that.” – Rene Hesse, head coach, Tunisia
“The training has gone well so far with lots of intense practice in the different departments of the game. Competing at this tournament will give us more exposure to the game.” - Denis Oduke, wide receiver, Uganda
Women’s competition: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria
“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. 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.” - Adham Aladdin, head coach Egypt
“We all coach to win, but how we win matters. Respect the opponent, honor the grind, and play so hard they remember you. Kindness doesn’t mean soft. Competitors aren’t enemies. Leave your mark on the scoreboard, sure but leave it on your teammates, too. Football isn’t just a game; it’s where we build toughness, IQ, and a brotherhood and sisterhood that lasts. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see how the sport grows.” – Fouzia Madhouni, head coach, Morocco
“Africa Flag 2025 is a huge moment for the continued growth of flag football across our continent. It’s an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and passion rising throughout Africa and take a meaningful step towards making history at LA28. As the first-ever Continental Championships, this event will inspire the next generation to pick up a football and believe anything is possible.” - Amira Nader, quarterback, Egypt
Scores from IFAF Africa Flag 2025 will be updated at the IFAF Game Centre.
