Mangongo targets World Cup qualification after taking charge of Nigerian cricket

Posted : 29 May 2026

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has officially unveiled Zimbabwean cricket tactician Stephen Mangongo as the new Head Coach and High Performance Manager of the national team, with the experienced coach already setting his sights on future ICC World Cup qualification.

Mangongo was presented to stakeholders on Wednesday at the Cricket Lab, TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos, during a ceremony attended by federation officials, former internationals, players, media representatives, and cricket enthusiasts.

Speaking after his unveiling, Mangongo described his appointment as both an honour and a major responsibility, promising to build on the existing structure already established by the federation.

“One of our key goals is to qualify for future ICC World Cups, and we will work hard to achieve that through consistency and professionalism,” Mangongo said.

The former Zimbabwe national team coach commended the Nigeria Cricket Federation for its investment in grassroots development and youth programmes, noting that the country possesses enormous potential to become one of Africa’s leading cricket nations.

“Nigeria already has a very strong structure in place. The investment in young players and development is impressive,” he stated.

Mangongo added that his previous experience working with Nigeria’s women’s team exposed him to the passion, discipline, and determination of Nigerian cricketers.

“The discipline, passion, and willingness of Nigerian players to improve show that the country has great potential,” he added.

NCF President, Uyi Akpata, said the appointment aligned with the federation’s long-term vision of improving performance standards and strengthening the country’s cricket development system.

According to Akpata, the federation received 44 applications from different parts of the cricket world before its Technical Committee unanimously recommended Mangongo for the role.

“This appointment is an important step in our long-term vision for high performance and the continued growth of cricket in Nigeria,” Akpata said.

Mangongo brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously handled Zimbabwe Under-19, Zimbabwe A, and the senior national team. One of his notable achievements was guiding Zimbabwe to a historic victory over Australia during a 2014 tri-series tournament.

He has also played a significant role in nurturing top Zimbabwean cricketers, including Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu.

The unveiling ceremony also featured the signing of appointment documents and interactive sessions with stakeholders and members of the media.

The appointment of the experienced tactician marks a defining moment for the future of the sport in the country. With a solid foundation already established by the federation, the focus now shifts to translating domestic potential into international success. The ultimate objective remains clear as the national team begins this new chapter under his guidance to establish itself as a dominant force on the global stage.

Mangongo targets World Cup qualification after taking charge of Nigerian cricket

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