Zimbabwean Coach Stephen Mangongo Named Nigeria’s New Head Coach
Nigeria has appointed experienced Zimbabwean cricket coach Stephen Mangongo as the new head coach of the national men’s team, the Yellow Greens, as well as the country’s high-performance manager.
The appointment was confirmed on Sunday by the Nigeria Cricket Federation, with Mangongo set to be officially unveiled at a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday at the TBS Cricket Oval.
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Replacing Steve Tikolo After Four-Year Stint
Mangongo steps into the role previously held by Kenyan cricket legend Steve Tikolo, who served as head coach from October 2022 until January 2026.
His appointment brings an end to a four-month search for a new leader as Nigeria builds its preparations for the ICC 2028 T20 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Vast Coaching Experience Across Zimbabwe and Beyond
Mangongo brings nearly three decades of coaching experience, having worked extensively within Zimbabwe’s cricket structures, including the Under-15 and Under-19 teams, the Zimbabwe ‘A’ side, and the senior national team.
One of his most notable achievements came in 2014, when he guided Zimbabwe to a memorable victory over Australia in a tri-series, a result widely regarded as one of the country’s standout cricket moments.
International Exposure and Player Development
His coaching résumé includes participation in three ICC Under-19 World Cups and assistant coaching roles at four ICC Men’s World Cups.
He also previously led Zimbabwe Cricket’s High Performance Programme and spent six years running a private cricket academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he focused on youth development.
Mangongo is also credited with mentoring top Zimbabwean cricketers such as Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu, both of whom went on to achieve historic milestones for the national team.
Accolades and Qualifications
Over the years, Mangongo has collected several coaching honours, including the ICC Intercontinental Trophy with Zimbabwe ‘A’ in 2008, Best Cricket Coach in Zimbabwe in 2009, and Best Sports Coach in 2010. He also guided the Mountaineers to the inaugural Stanbic T20 Tournament title.
He holds an ICC Level Three Coaching Certification, a Senior Instructor’s Cricket Certificate, and a diploma in Marketing.
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