Nigeria Cricket Coach Calls Up 35 Players for Tri-Series in Namibia

**The new coach of Nigeria’s national men’s cricket team, Stephen Mangongo, has called up 35 players for a 14-day camp. This is in preparation for 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 alongside Leke Oyede, the former coach of the Female Yellow Greens, and fitness coach Seye Olympio, among others.

Mangongo's first job will be the Namibia Tri-Series, which is set for June 18 to 29 at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

The 35 players were picked from the recently finished Nigeria Super League. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and newcomers.

Captain Sylvester Okpe leads the regular players. Others include Nigeria Super League MVP Isaac Danladi, Sulaimon Runsewe, who captained the Middle Belt Tigers to victory, Isaac Okpe, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ridwan Kareem, and Rahmon Ali.

More regulars in the squad are Peter Aho, a former Guinness World Record holder, Saturday Elijah, Sesan Adedeji, Solomon Chilemanya, Taiwo Mohammed, Vincent Adewoye, Selim Salau, Chiemelie Udekwe, David Ankrah, and Elijah Olaleye.

New Faces in the Squad

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

Also in the squad are Jimoh Abdulrahman, Miracle Akhigbe, Muheez Animashaun, Odion Isesele, Okasha Isiyaku, Reigneth Osagie, Samuel Mba Okwara, Victor Ipoli, Wareez Azeez, and Abolarin Abdulrasheed.

The final squad is expected to be cut down to 16 players before the tournament. Nigeria will play against Namibia and Hong Kong, China, in a T20I tri-series before facing Namibia in three One-Day International matches.**