Cricket: Nigeria coach calls 35 players for Namibia Tri-Series

The new coach of Nigeria’s national men’s cricket team and High Performance Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Stephen Mangongo, has invited 35 players for a 14-day camp ahead of the 2026 Namibia Tri-Series, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Mangongo was unveiled as the helmsman of the Yellow Greens last Wednesday, signing a three-year deal with the NCF. The Zimbabwean is working with former Female Yellow Greens head coach Leke Oyede and fitness coach Seye Olympio, among others. His first assignment will be the Namibia Tri-Series, scheduled for June 18 to 29 at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. His 35-man squad was selected from the just-concluded Nigeria Super League, inviting a blend of regulars and new players for the task. Related News Sanwo-Olu promises excellent National Intermediate Games Nigeria captain Eseigbe returns for Kwibuka tournament Reps back Bash Ali’s Guinness boxing dream, rule out government funding The regulars are led by captain Sylvester Okpe, Nigeria Super League MVP Isaac Danladi, Super League-winning captain with the Middle Belt Tigers Sulaimon Runsewe, Isaac Okpe, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ridwan Kareem and Rahmon Ali. The other regulars are 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. Among the new players are Oyo State star Chima Akachukwu, Eghosa Aghedo, who won a historic three Player of the Match awards during the Super League, Elochukwu Ndubudem, Eweka Ogbemudia, Gideon Durotoye, Ifeanyi Uboh and Ismail Abdullahi. Others are Jimoh Abdulrahman, Miracle Akhigbe, Muheez Animashaun, Odion Isesele, Okasha Isiyaku, Reigneth Osagie, Samuel Mba Okwara, Victor Ipoli, Wareez Azeez and Abolarin Abdulrasheed. The squad is expected to be trimmed to 16 players ahead of the tournament, where Nigeria will face Namibia and Hong Kong, China, in a T20I tri-series before taking on the hosts in three One-Day International matches. Abiodun Adewale Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

UPDATE NEWS: As a Nigerian living in Nigeria or diaspora, you can now earn about ₦17- ₦25Million when you acquire premium domains for as low as $2500. You get paid in US Dollars. Ideal for Civil/public servants, Entrepreneurs, Accountants, Doctors, IT Experts and many others. Click here to start.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for