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Bello Leads Nigeria To Historic Flag Football Title

Bello Leads Nigeria To Historic Flag Football Title

From winning the Showtime Bowl trophy with the Warriors to now leading Team Nigeria to continental victory, Anuoluwapo Bello has emerged as the defining face of African women’s flag football.

On the final day of the 2025 IFAF Africa Flag Football Continental Championship, Bello delivered a masterclass in leadership and precision, throwing two decisive second-half touchdowns in Nigeria’s commanding 26–12 win over Morocco to seal the gold medal in the women’s tournament.

It was a moment that not only elevated her profile as one of the sport’s rising stars but also solidified Nigeria’s growing dominance in flag football on the continent.

“This is a great achievement for us and I’m proud of every woman out here,” Bello said after the game. “I feel excited for the girls here. There is an opportunity to go to the World Championships and show everyone what we can do.”

Her words captured the spirit of a championship that marked a historic milestone on the road to flag football’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

Later that evening, Nigeria’s men’s team added a second gold medal to the tally in a nail-biting 13–12 victory over host nation Egypt, sealing an emphatic Nigerian sweep in both categories and triggering celebration across the country.

Showtime’s Signature All Over Nigeria’s Success

What makes these victories even more significant is that a majority of the athletes and coaches representing Nigeria—both male and female—are products of Showtime, Nigeria’s leading professional flag football league.

The Showtime League, now recognized as a key national pipeline for talent, was instrumental in grooming stars like Bello. Her earlier triumph with the Warriors at Showtime Bowl XII now seems like a prelude to her continental explosion.

From the structure of its league games to the consistent exposure it offers athletes, Showtime has built an ecosystem that now feeds directly into national excellence. Out of the 12 men who represented Nigeria in Cairo, 10 are either active in Showtime or were first developed there, while most of the women, including Bello, trace their competitive roots to the same league.

NSC’s Vision Proves Prophetic

The victories also serve as a resounding endorsement of the National Sports Commission (NSC), whose leadership—DG Hon. Bukola Olopade and Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko—has been instrumental in pushing for greater unity and structure within the sport.

During the jersey unveiling ahead of the tournament, DG Olopade had emphasized the need for synergy between NAFA (Nigerian American Football Association) and Showtime to establish a more structured national league system. His words are now being viewed as visionary, as Nigeria reaps the rewards of collaboration between federation leadership and private initiative.

“If you guys come together, this sport will take Nigeria by storm—I have no doubt,” the DG had said.

Now, in the wake of Nigeria’s double gold haul, many across the nation are echoing that belief, calling for the formation of a formal Nigerian Flag Football Federation, led by those who have clearly proven their ability to deliver results at the highest level.

Africa Takes the Stage — And Nigeria Leads the Charge

Held at Club One Stadium in Maadi, Cairo, the IFAF Africa Flag Football Championships featured 11 teams from 8 countries, making it the first event in IFAF’s 2025 Continental Championship series and a major step toward LA28.

The tournament was delivered in partnership with the NFL, which hosted a suite of development activities including a continental U12 youth championship, NFL talent ID camps, and female coaching clinics. NFL stars like Bobby Okereke, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Osi Umenyiora attended the finals, bringing global visibility to Africa’s growing flag football scene.

With their double victory, Nigeria’s men and women have now qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, further positioning the nation as a flag football powerhouse and Olympic contender.

A New Era Begins

IFAF President Pierre Trochet summed it up best: “Every player and official who set foot on the field in Cairo this week can claim a piece of history… But the history is less important than the future.”

For Anuoluwapo Bello, for Showtime, and for Nigeria — that future is already in motion. And it’s never looked brighter.

Sports247.ng

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Funke Oshonaike Makes History As First Nigerian Appointed To The IOC Athletes’ Commission

Funke Oshonaike celebrating during a table tennis match representing Nigeria

Nigerian sports just bagged another major win — and this time it’s thanks to one of the country’s most enduring legends, Funke Oshonaike.
The seven-time Olympian has officially become the first Nigerian ever appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices in global sports.

This historic announcement came as IOC President Kirsty Coventry appointed five new members to reinforce the commission ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Oshonaike now joins an elite group of global athletes including:

  • Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, Badminton)

  • Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, Rowing)

  • Cheick Sallah Cissé (Côte d’Ivoire, Taekwondo)

  • Mariana Pajón (Colombia, Cycling)

“I’m Excited, And My Efforts Were Noticed” — Oshonaike Reacts

For Oshonaike, this moment is more than an appointment — it is a dream fulfilled.

In her words:

“I am so excited because during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, I was impressed by the huge support from my country and athletes across the world.”

She added:

“This appointment confirms that my efforts did not go unnoticed. It has been my dream to impact the sport that has given me the rare opportunity to live well in life.”

And truly, if anyone has earned that seat, it’s Oshonaike — a woman who represented Nigeria in seven consecutive Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. That’s not just consistency; that’s greatness on autopilot.

IOC President Applauds The New Class

IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted the importance of the Athletes’ Commission in shaping the Olympic Movement:

“The Athletes’ Commission is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do.”

With the latest appointments, the commission now includes 23 members, representing athletes from across continents and from both summer and winter sports. Impressively, it maintains its gender balance with 13 women and 10 men.

The body ensures that athletes’ voices — from grassroots to the global stage — influence top-level decisions in the Olympic ecosystem.

Why Funke Oshonaike’s Appointment Matters

This milestone hits differently for Nigeria and Africa at large:

  • It elevates Nigeria’s influence in global sports governance.

  • It positions African athletes more strongly in Olympic policymaking.

  • It shows that dedication, longevity, and excellence always get rewarded.

For a legend who has been inspiring young African athletes for nearly three decades, this is the perfect continuation of her legacy.

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Fikayo Tomori Explains Why He Chose England Over Nigeria

Fikayo Tomori in England national team jersey

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has opened up on his decision to represent England on the international stage, explaining that the Nigerian Football Federation never officially contacted him.

Tomori, who initially represented Canada at youth level, later switched allegiance to England, earning five senior caps to date. While several English youth internationals with Nigerian heritage, including Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman, have opted for the Super Eagles, Tomori’s path led him to the Three Lions.

Tomori On His Decision

Speaking on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, Tomori outlined how England reached out after his stint with Canada’s youth team:

“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but about four months later, the England Academy manager reached out about the possibility of switching over. The next international break, England called me, and I knew I had to go. I thought if I said no, would I ever get a call-up again?”

He added that the transition felt natural because many of his Chelsea teammates, like Tammy Abraham, were already in the England setup.

“It didn’t feel different [from Canada] because all my friends were in there… it felt like Chelsea again,” Tomori said.

Nigeria’s Missed Opportunity

Tomori admitted that if Nigeria had made an approach, he might have considered playing for the Super Eagles.

“If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone,” he stated.

However, he clarified that no official call ever came, leaving him with no real choice.

“Would I have changed to Nigeria from England? I don’t know because at the time, I was playing for Chelsea, so I thought I would play for England. It’s not like I wouldn’t have played there, but they never called me, so I never had a choice to make.”

As Tomori continues to establish himself in Serie A with Milan, he now focuses on securing a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, hoping to make his mark on football’s biggest stage.

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Wilfred Ndidi Backed By Sunday Oliseh As The Next Super Eagles Captain

Sunday Oliseh Supports Wilfred Ndidi For Super Eagles Captaincy

The conversation around the future leadership of the Super Eagles just got louder—and a lot more interesting.
Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has openly declared his preferred choice for the next captain… and his pick is none other than midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi.

With William Troost-Ekong officially hanging up his international boots, the captain’s armband is now up for grabs. But if Oliseh had his way? The decision is easy.

Why Oliseh Wants Ndidi To Lead Nigeria

On his podcast, Oliseh Insight, the former Juventus and Dortmund star explained why Ndidi stands out among all current Super Eagles players. According to him, the Leicester-turned-Besiktas midfielder commands massive respect, shows unmatched professionalism, and consistently gives his all every game.

Oliseh put it plainly:

“At the moment, I think nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game.”

This isn’t surprising. Ndidi has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable midfielders—calm, disciplined, hardworking, and battle-tested.

Leadership To Match The Moment

Oliseh, known for bold captaincy calls (remember when he chose Musa over Mikel?), believes Nigeria’s next skipper must be more than a figurehead.
To him, the Super Eagles need a leader who:

  • Inspires the squad

  • Commands respect naturally

  • Communicates effectively

  • Represents the team with integrity

  • Leads on and off the pitch—not just someone who follows NFF instructions

In his words, the armband shouldn’t just be decorative. It should mean direction, strength, and identity. And Ndidi, in his view, fits that profile perfectly.

A New Era For The Super Eagles?

The timing of this debate couldn’t be more crucial. Nigeria is gearing up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they’ll face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C.

Leadership matters in tournaments. Momentum matters. And the right captain could set the tone for the entire journey toward Morocco.

Will Ndidi rise as the next leader?
Will the NFF agree with Oliseh?
Or will another name emerge from the squad?

Whatever happens, the conversation is officially on—and the sports world is paying attention.

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