NAIROBI, Kenya, July 11, 2026 – Kenya's women's national flag football team gave home fans plenty to celebrate after defeating Ghana 18-6 to secure the bronze medal as the inaugural NFL FLAG Africa Championship concluded.
The podium finish capped an encouraging campaign for the hosts, who showcased their growing strength in the sport as Africa's top flag football nations battled for continental honours ahead of flag football's debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria emerged as the inaugural women's champions after defeating Egypt 27-18 in the final, while Egypt claimed the men's title with a hard-fought 12-6 victory over Nigeria. South Africa completed the men's podium by defeating Kenya 19-13 to win bronze.
The championship brought together men's, women's and youth teams from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, highlighting the rapid growth of flag football across the continent.
Speaking after the finals, NFL Africa Ambassador and two-time Super Bowl champion described the tournament as another major milestone in the NFL's expansion across Africa.
"We've grown quite a bit since the last time we were here. This is the next step in our evolution," he said.
Umenyiora noted that unlike tackle football, flag football is accessible to everyone, saying the game creates opportunities for children, women and men to participate. He added that the tournament was about increasing competition across the continent and creating more pathways for athletes to develop before pursuing international opportunities.
He also expressed confidence in Africa's sporting potential, saying the continent already has world-class athletes and that what has been missing is access to development and opportunities.
"We have to find ways to give them opportunities. There's a lot of youth here, there's a lot of talent here. What's been missing has been the opportunity," he said.
NFL International Flag Football Development Manager Afia Law praised the standard of competition, saying African teams have demonstrated exceptional talent despite many athletes being relatively new to the sport.
"The talent and ability is incredible," she said. "This is just the beginning of the journey. Flag football in Africa is on a really positive trajectory."
Law said tournaments such as the NFL FLAG Africa Championship are essential because they give athletes and teams regular high-level competition, helping them sharpen their skills ahead of global events.
She also expressed confidence that African nations can soon compete with the world's best, noting that some teams are already approaching world-class standards.
On women's participation, Law described gender inclusion as a key pillar of the NFL's development strategy, saying creating equal opportunities for female athletes is critical to the sport's future.
"We have an equal men's and women's division, while our Under-13 category is mixed. Ensuring female opportunities are as available as male opportunities is really important," she said.
Beyond the competition, the event concluded with the NFL FLAG Talent Identification Programme, where athletes participated in drills and skills assessments before NFL representatives as part of the league's player development pathway. The championship also featured training for referees and officials from the five participating countries, aimed at strengthening technical capacity and supporting the long-term growth of the sport across Africa.
The medal ceremony was attended by Osi Umenyiora, Kenya's Director General for Sports Timothy Kilimo, Joshua Weru—the first Kenyan and East African athlete to sign with an NFL franchise after joining the Philadelphia Eagles—NFL International Flag Football Development Manager Afia Law, and senior government and sports officials.
With Kenya's women claiming bronze on home soil and the continent's talent continuing to impress, the inaugural NFL FLAG Africa Championship has laid a strong foundation for the sport's future in Africa and its journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
