Fresh from an impressive unbeaten start at the 2026 NFL Flag Africa Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, Head Coach of the Nigerian men’s national flag football team, Ephraim Faloughi, has reaffirmed his side’s determination to remain the standard-bearers of flag football in Africa.
The reigning African champions opened their campaign with a hard-fought 13-12 victory over hosts Kenya before producing a dominant display to defeat South Africa 53-15, extending Nigeria’s impressive run against the continent’s leading teams.
Speaking after the opening day’s performances, Faloughi praised his players for their discipline, commitment and winning mentality but insisted the team remains focused on the bigger objective.
“Our goal is to continue proving why Nigeria is the leading flag football nation in Africa. Every game is an opportunity to improve, and I am pleased with the attitude and determination the players have shown.”
The coach described the victories over Kenya and South Africa as encouraging but stressed that the team cannot afford to become complacent.
“These are good results, but we know the work is not done. We have come here to compete against the best in Africa, continue improving as a team and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead.”
Faloughi credited the players for embracing the federation’s intensive preparation programme, which included nationwide trials, residential training camps and the Nigeria Showcase held in Lagos before the team’s departure for Kenya.
He believes those preparations are beginning to reflect in the team’s performances on the field.
“The players have worked extremely hard over the past few months. What we are seeing now is the result of their commitment, but we must keep raising our standards because the World Championships will demand even more from us.”
The victories also strengthened Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s reigning champions, having won the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo, Egypt, in 2025.
The Nairobi tournament forms an important part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, where the country will make its debut on the global stage as Africa’s sole representative.
Beyond the encouraging results, Faloughi believes the experience gained against quality African opposition will be invaluable when Nigeria faces the world’s elite next month.
“Every match brings us closer to where we want to be. We respect every opponent, but our ambition is to keep improving and ensure Nigeria is ready to compete with the very best in the world.”
The Nigerian men’s national flag football team will now look to build on its perfect start as the competition continues in Nairobi, carrying with it the confidence of an unbeaten opening day and the determination to reinforce Nigeria’s position as the continent’s flag football powerhouse before attention shifts to the World Championships in Germany.
