Maccabi Pan-African Tournament: Xriso FC Set to Compete, Other Latest Updates.

OVER the past three years, Jewish sporting activity in some parts of Africa has experienced a remarkable transformation, which is marked by a rise in youth participation and the steady growth of organized friendly competitions. In Nigeria, for example, what was once limited to occasional football matches during periodic youth Shabbat gatherings has evolved into regular sporting programs led by Jewish-owned and community-based clubs. Teams such as Maccabi FC Nigeria and Harachman FC have emerged as pioneers of this movement, helping to place structured Jewish sports back on the communal agenda.

Beyond football, other disciplines have also gained visibility. Athletes are now participating in relay races, volleyball, swimming, and table tennis, particularly among Nigerian Jewish communities. Outside Nigeria, women’s netball teams in Uganda and various sporting initiatives in Eastern Africa, like long-distance racing in Kenya, further demonstrate the territorial expansion of Jewish athletic activity on the continent. Together, these developments reflect a growing recognition of sport as a tool for youth development, discipline, and communal pride.

The Maccabiah has been organized by the World Maccabi Union since its inaugural tournament in 1932. The Games, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” occur every four years and have seen more than 20 editions. They currently attract Jewish athletes from around 80 countries worldwide. Although there are long-established indigenous Jewish communities in Africa, the continent has historically experienced limited participation. This narrative is starting to evolve as African Jewish athletes increasingly position on the path towards international competition, including prospective participation in future Maccabiah Games.

***Maccabi FC Nigeria players prepare for action with pre-match training on the sidelines in Abuja.***

Competing at this Olympic level requires consistent training, professional skills, and physical fitness. In response, a structured football initiative was launched in Nigeria to provide players with access to organized coaching, and regular football activities for youth development. Based in Abuja, Maccabi FC Nigeria was created as a national platform for Jewish footballers residing in the region, and eventually became one of the first African Jewish teams to prepare for potential participation in the Maccabiah, thereby hoping on making history in Jewish football.

Last year, during the build-up to the Maccabiah, their chances of participating in the football activities in the group stage became slimmer due to certain underlying factors and timing. But, by the time the Maccabiah postponement was announced on the 16th of June, 2025, something bigger was taking shape in the continent. It was like an awakening, and we saw inside the formation of the Maccabi African Confederation, Africa’s biggest Jewish sporting revolution.

Through networks such as the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance (SAJA), Jewish athletes from several African countries and potential teams ready for organization came into the limelight. Much of this momentum has been inspired by the consistent advocacy of the Maccabi Nigeria Union, which has pushed for greater inclusion of African athletes in international Jewish competitions. To support this vision, country representatives and regional coordinators have been identified across sub-Saharan Africa, laying the administrative and managerial foundation for broader participation.

Following extensive consultation, organizers concluded that Africa required its regional and continental competition as a stepping stone toward international tournaments. This led to the decision to plan and host a maiden edition of the Maccabi Pan-African Tournament, MPAT, designed to bring together Jewish teams from across the continent in a structured and symbolic sporting event.

At the time of the first official announcement, three football teams had already indicated interest in participating in the tournament, which is scheduled to be hosted in Nigeria. The most recent club to join this list is Xriso Sporting FC, an Abuja-based side managed by Shlomo Yaakov, a chazan at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. His efforts have led to the establishment of a training partnership between Xriso Sporting FC and Maccabi FC Nigeria.

***Players of Xriso Sporting FC take a group photo before their match against Fine Trust Football Academy.***

Under this arrangement, players from both teams share training facilities and participate in joint practice sessions, enabling increased match exposure and improved fitness levels. The collaboration is intended to create a shared football environment in which players train together, play side by side, face each other in friendly matches, and gain valuable competitive experience ahead of the Pan-African tournament.

Chayim (No.2) of Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue enters the game as a second-half substitute during the match at the Sports Complex Stadium.

On 4 February, two defensive players from Maccabi FC Nigeria, Shimon and Chayim, featured alongside Xriso Sporting FC in a friendly match at the Sports Complex Stadium, which ended in a 4–4 draw. A few days later, on 8 February, Xriso Sporting FC secured a 4–2 victory against the visiting Peculiar Football Academy. These matches form part of a broader schedule of weekly fixtures designed to sharpen performance and build match fitness in preparation for the proposed pilot edition of MPAT.

As Nigeria prepares to host this historic event, interested athletes and teams are now able to register through the official platform of the Maccabi Nigeria Union. The tournament is expected to feature multiple sporting competitions, including football, tennis, swimming, relay races, and other track and field events. Participation will include both male and female athletes, with delegations anticipated from more than ten African countries.

While an initial date had been proposed, organizers have since adjusted the timeline, opting to hold the tournament after the Maccabiah in Israel. The period of Sukkot 5787, corresponding to September 2026, has been identified as the most suitable timeframe. This adjustment is intended to allow sufficient time for wider participation, improved planning, and the mobilization of financial and logistical support.

Xriso Sporting FC (in yellow) rolled out a warm welcome to Peculiar Football Academy before battle — and went on to clinch a thrilling 4–2 win

With these developments, the Maccabi Pan-African Tournament is shaping up to be more than a sporting competition. It represents a continental statement of unity, ambition, and a new frontier, offering African Jewish athletes a platform to compete, connect, and contribute to the growing legacy of Jewish sport on the continent.