Nigeria Cricket Coach Calls 35 Players for Namibia Series

The new coach of Nigeria’s national men’s cricket team, Stephen Mangongo, has called up 35 players for a 14-day training camp. This is ahead of the 2026 Namibia Tri-Series, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Mangongo was introduced as the head coach last Wednesday. He signed a three-year contract with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).

He is working with Leke Oyede, the former coach of the Female Yellow Greens, and fitness coach Seye Olympio, among others.

His first challenge will be the Namibia Tri-Series. It is set to take place from June 18 to 29 at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

The 35-man squad was picked from the recently concluded Nigeria Super League. It includes a mix of experienced players and newcomers.

The experienced players are led by captain Sylvester Okpe. Others include Nigeria Super League MVP Isaac Danladi, Sulaimon Runsewe, the Super League-winning captain with the Middle Belt Tigers, Isaac Okpe, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ridwan Kareem, and Rahmon Ali.

The list of experienced players also has former Guinness World Record holder Peter Aho, Saturday Elijah, Sesan Adedeji, Solomon Chilemanya, Taiwo Mohammed, Vincent Adewoye, Selim Salau, Chiemelie Udekwe, David Ankrah, and Elijah Olaleye.

Some of the new players are Oyo State star Chima Akachukwu and Eghosa Aghedo. Aghedo won three Player of the Match awards during the Super League. Others include Elochukwu Ndubudem, Eweka Ogbemudia, Gideon Durotoye, Ifeanyi Uboh, and Ismail Abdullahi.

The new players also include Jimoh Abdulrahman, Miracle Akhigbe, Muheez Animashaun, Odion Isesele, Okasha Isiyaku, Reigneth Osagie, Samuel Mba Okwara, Victor Ipoli, Wareez Azeez, and Abolarin Abdulrasheed.

The squad will be cut down to 16 players before the tournament. Nigeria will face Namibia and Hong Kong, China, in a T20I tri-series. They will also play three One-Day International matches against the hosts.