The Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) national tryouts got off to a promising start at the Elegbata Sports Complex, Lagos, with over 60 players turning up on the opening day of the exercise.
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The impressive turnout highlighted the growing appeal of American football in Nigeria, as athletes gathered with hopes of securing a place in the national team setup.
Speaking after the first session, the Technical Director of the federation, Bodunrin Sasore, described the exercise as a major success, praising the level of talent and commitment displayed by the players.
“It was a huge success. You can see the players showing a lot of promise,” Sasore said. “The energy, discipline, and willingness to compete have been very impressive.”
Following the initial assessments, about 30 players have been shortlisted and officially invited to return for the next phase of the trials, which is scheduled to take place on Monday at the same venue.
According to Sasore, the selected players distinguished themselves during the first phase and will now have another opportunity to prove their readiness for higher-level competition.
“These players earned their place based on performance. They will come back on Monday to continue the process,” he noted.
He also explained that the next phase will include additional players from various leagues across the country, further raising the level of competition as the federation continues its search for the best talents.
The ongoing exercise forms a key part of the NFAF’s plans to build a competitive national team, while also strengthening the structure of the sport across Nigeria.
With a successful start already recorded, attention now shifts to Monday’s session at Elegbata, where the intensity is expected to increase as the selection process progresses.
