Houston Christian University Head Coach
Ryan Pratt announced three more signings on Tuesday afternoon for his 2026 recruiting class. Transfers Callum Niven and Samuel Sebagabo join the Huskies from the junior college ranks while Cayne Madhlangove will come in as a true freshman. The trio of players brings the recruiting class to five.
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Niven is a 5'10 forward from Burton, England who spent his first two collegiate seasons at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas. A two-year starter, Niven proved to be a prolific scorer for the Panthers in helping them to consecutive NJCAA DII Tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2024.
He scored 24 goals and had nine assists for 57 points as a freshman with five multiple goal efforts in 22 matches played. As a sophomore he picked up 14 more goals and three assists for 31 points in leading NCCC to a #4 national ranking. Niven earned All-America honors both seasons at Neosho.
PRATT ON NIVEN
"Callum will complement our forward group very well. He's very good with his back to goal, has a high soccer IQ, can score goals and is a tireless worker. We are very excited to be adding a person of Callum's toughness and character to our program."
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Transferring in from just up the road in Brenham comes Sam Sebagabo. The 5'8 midfielder played his sophomore season at Blinn after spending his initial collegiate campaign at Tyler Junior College. The Birmingham, England product led both teams to the National Tournament.
This past season Sebagabo paced Blinn to a No. 8 national ranking and became the first NJCAA First-Team All-America in program history. He scored a team-best 10 goals and added five assists for the Buccaneers while also earning All-Region honors.
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PRATT ON SEBAGABO
"Sam is a very good all-around midfielder and a great athlete! He can both score and create goals and his athletic ability will allow him to press within our defensive structure very well. He has the ability to play multiple positions across the midfield and be an immediate impact player."
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Madhlangove is 5'8 defender from Flower Mound, Texas who has spent the last few years as a student in the Real Salt Lake Academy and playing with the Real Monarchs.
PRATT ON MADHLANGOVE
"He is a tough quick right back that is a good two-way player. He is a very challenging player to get by and also has good end product in the final third as an overlapping fullback."
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Niven and Madhlangove will join the Huskies in the Spring semester, while Sebagabo will link up in the Fall. The trio brings the 2026 recruiting class to five, as they join
previous signings Noah Fernandes and Clarenns Sainrimat.
Houston Christian finished its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 11-5-3 mark overall and a 5-3-2 ledger in the league. The Huskies recorded the most victories in a single season since the 1990 team won 14 and are now 10-5-5 in league play over the past two seasons.
HCU claimed half of the leagues six major awards and for the second straight season had seven players earn honors.
D'Alessandro Herrera was named Midfielder of the Year for the second time,
Alex Aitken collected Goalkeeper of the Year honors and
Joby Reid was named Freshman of the Year, the third straight season for HCU to claim that honor.
Ryan Okerayi and
Nico Kross joined Herrera and Aitken on the All-OVC first team, with
Ricardo Garcia being named to the scond team. Reid and
Ben Thirkill were selected to the All-Freshman squad.
The Huskies advanced for the second straight year to the Ohio Valley Conference championship match, both of which have gone double-overtime with this being the first in the three years of the OVC to go to penalties.
#DawgsUp
