Nigeria's newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Maziwa Mangongo, is confident that the nation can rise to become a global powerhouse in cricket by fully harnessing its abundant talent and resources to build formidable men's and women's teams.
Mangongo's Vision for Nigerian Cricket
Mangongo expressed his delight at the opportunity to work for a country he described as "as blessed as Nigeria." He emphasized that the vast pool of talent and the unwavering dedication of young players make it straightforward for any serious manager to elevate the teams to the pinnacle of the sport.
Speaking during his official unveiling to cricket stakeholders by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) board on Wednesday at the TBS Cricket Oval, Mangongo shared his initial impressions. He recalled being invited by the NCF president last year to conduct a high-performance session for the national women's squad while also preparing the men's team for qualifiers.
"On the first day, I was told training would start at 9 o'clock. We arrived around 8:20 a.m., and I thought we were late because the players were already there. I asked one of the girls, 'Are we late?' She said, 'No, no, no,' and confirmed that training started at 9. That was an indicator that made me want to be part of this from day one," Mangongo said.
He noted that the players' early arrival demonstrated genuine passion and eagerness to learn. "From my experience coaching teams, you normally have two or three players coming late with excuses. But on that day, all the girls were here before the scheduled time. It showed me the love, passion, and desire to learn among these ladies."
Mangongo observed that this attitude extends beyond the women's team. He recounted seeing young men training by themselves without a coach during lunch on the same day. "I said to myself, I want to be here," he added.
The Importance of Attitude
He stressed that the difference between good and great players lies in their attitude toward training and willingness to learn. "If you asked me to choose between a good player and a not-so-good player who is willing to learn, I would choose the latter because talent alone is not enough. This is where Nigeria excels compared to most African countries," Mangongo asserted.
Grassroots Development as a Foundation
Beyond individual willingness, Mangongo praised the NCF's grassroots development program, which he believes positions Nigeria to build exceptional teams faster than other nations. He expressed optimism that the Yellow Greens could qualify for the 2028 World Cup if all elements align.
"The amount of work the Nigeria Cricket Federation is doing in terms of grassroots is fantastic. Please get me right: Nigeria is not the biggest cricket nation in Africa, but it is leading the bigger countries because it is way ahead in grassroots development," he explained.
Addressing the players present, Mangongo urged them to remain steadfast in their training, assuring them that the NCF has created an environment capable of producing international superstars. "The Nigeria Cricket Federation, through the wisdom of the president, is giving you the opportunity of a lifetime. My coming here is to help you achieve your dreams," he said.
Ambition to Reach the World Cup
Mangongo, who honed his coaching skills by training Zimbabwe's U-15, U-19, and senior men's teams to success, stated that his dream is to lead Nigeria to its first World Cup appearance. "It is achievable. If you don't have ambition, you have no business in sports. You must create a goal and work toward it. Yes, Nigeria is still a work in progress, but the talents are here, and with more hard work, nothing is impossible," he declared.
He added, "I feel motivated to help a fellow African country take cricket to the next level. There is no better honour than helping your fellow Africans achieve greatness in sport."
NCF President on Mangongo's Appointment
Earlier, NCF President Uyi Akpata explained the rigorous selection process that led to Mangongo's appointment. He noted that about six or seven years ago, the federation aimed to reintroduce cricket to schools and strengthen grassroots programs while raising awareness about the game. Now, the focus is on high performance.
"Our last head coach, Steve Tikolo, took us to great heights, moving us from the mid-40s to about mid-30s in rankings. After him, we needed someone who fits the boxes. Everywhere board members went, we kept hearing one name: Mangongo. We opened a contest, and 44 people showed interest. After a robust one-month programme, a technical selection committee chaired by board member Ladipo Idowu chose Mangongo," Akpata concluded.
