News

Mfuneko Ngam named Warriors assistant coach

The former South Africa fast bowler was previously heading a successful academy at the University of Fort Harte, and has served in several coaching capacities since his retirement

Firdose Moonda
Firdose Moonda
07-Jun-2018
AFP

AFP

Former South Africa fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam has been appointed the assistant coach of the Eastern-Cape-based Warriors franchise. Ngam, who played three Tests for South Africa between 2000 and 2001 before his career was cut short by injury, had previously been heading a successful academy at the University of Fort Hare, which concentrated on providing elite coaching in South Africa's black African heartland.
Ngam has worked in various coaching capacities since his retirement, including at CSA High Performance Programmes. He started an academy in Motherwell, a township 25 kilometres north of Port Elizabeth, and holds a Level 4 coaching qualification. He will work under head coach Rivash Gobind, who took over from Malibongwe Maketa after the latter was named South Africa's assistant coach last September.
Despite losing their coach on the eve of the 2017-18 season, Warriors had a good summer, sharing the one-day cup and finishing second on the first-class points table. The Warriors have not won a trophy outright since the 2009-10 season, but have faced several challenges, including the absence of a sponsor and a lack of high-profile players, something which is set to continue this summer.
The Warriors squad for the 2018-19 season does not include a single nationally-contracted player. Kolpak player Simon Harmer, who was also named first-class cricketer of the season at the recent CSA awards, and Colin Ackermann, who plays as a local for Leicestershire because of an EU passport, remain on the Warriors' book, but Kyle Abbott, who moved to the franchise from the Dolphins two seasons ago, was not on the list.
Warriors squad: Andrew Birch, Jon-Jon Smuts, Aya Gqamane, Basheer Walters, Anrich Nortje, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Mohammed Vallie, Simon Harmer, Colin Ackermann, Sinethemba Qeshile, Sithembile Langa, Lutho Sipamla, Eddie Moore, Matthew Breetzke, Sisanda Magala, Christiaan Jonker, Lesiba Ngoepe

Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent