By Tracy Moyo
Golden Lions continued their pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-1 win over BlackRock in a friendly match at Chinotimba Stadium this afternoon. This was their second pre-season match, following a 0-0 draw with Norton-based Premier League side Mwos FC in their opening pre-season friendly.
Former Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs, and Hwange midfielder General Sipho Ndlovu stole the show with a brilliant brace, while new signing Malcolm “Mbappe” Nleya added the third goal to seal the victory for Golden Lions. Nleya, who only trained with the team on Friday after arriving from South Africa, gave BlackRock defenders a torrid time with his runs and positioning.
The match also marked the debut of new signings, including former Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Munashe Ndlovu, who started in goal. The new recruits seemed to have settled in quickly, and their contributions were evident throughout the match.
Golden Lions dominated the game from the outset, with former Hwange anchorman Solomon “Solo” Sithole controlling the tempo in midfield. Sithole was ably supported by Sipho Ndlovu and Daniel Dube, forming a formidable midfield trio that showcased moments of brilliance with their silky passing and clever movement.
The defence was rock-solid, with former Chicken Inn and Nkayi United defender Brian Giant and Lucky Banda forming an impenetrable partnership at the back. Former Victoria Falls City and Herentals defender Andrew Ndlovu also impressed at right-back, delivering a solid performance that kept the Blackrock attackers at bay.
In the second half, Wellington Muuya replaced Munashe Ndlovu in goals and produced a stunning double save to deny BlackRock a goal. Prince Kahilu, formerly with Ngezi Platinum, was also introduced and showed flashes of brilliance, giving the Golden Lions coaching staff a selection headache ahead of their next match. Left-back Brendon Nekatambe had a good game, delivering a dependable performance that capped off an impressive team display.
Despite the challenging pitch conditions due to heavy rainfall before kick-off, the match lived up to its billing, with an enthusiastic crowd turning out to support their team. The fans were treated to an exciting match, with both teams creating scoring opportunities.
In an earlier match, Golden Lions’ reserve side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to BlackRock’s reserve team. Although the result didn’t go their way, the reserve team showed promise and will be looking to bounce back in their next match.
Overall, it was a promising result for Golden Lions, building on their pre-season progress ahead of the new season. With new signings settling in and the team showing cohesion, Golden Lions fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.
