Cricket: NCF shortlists coaches for Yellow Greens job
The Nigeria Cricket Federation is progressing towards the appointment of a new high-performance manager for the male senior national team, known as the Yellow Greens, as well as for other national teams. This follows the shortlisting of candidates for the position that was previously held by former Kenya international Steve Tikolo.
The search for Tikolo’s successor commenced on February 2, merely a week after his exit.
As stated in an advertisement released on the federation’s official Facebook page, candidates interested in the role were required to have at least a Level 3 coaching qualification, along with a coaching experience ranging from eight to ten years.
One month later, the federation is preparing to invite qualified candidates for interviews, as confirmed by General Manager Emeka Igwilo.
"Individuals have applied and have been shortlisted, so the designated committee is currently working on this. Once they complete their task, they will initiate the interview process for the final shortlisted candidates," Igwilo remarked.
Former coach Tikolo was the third foreigner to manage the Nigeria national team, following South Africa’s Sean Phillips (2011–2012) and Sri Lanka’s Asanka Gurusinha (2020–2022). It remains uncertain whether a Nigerian will assume the role this time.
"Those who met the criteria have applied. We have both Nigerians and foreigners in the pool, but the selection will hinge on experience and qualifications. We maintain a standard that cannot be compromised. It is the committee's responsibility to make recommendations based on the qualifications of the applicants.
"Keep in mind that we are discussing a national team, so the successful applicant will be under significant scrutiny as well," he added.
The federation has also outlined additional requirements, which include experience in high-performance or international cricket settings, proven success in elite player development and structured performance pathway systems, as well as a comprehensive understanding of contemporary cricket methodologies, performance analytics, sports science, and conditioning.
