10 Oct DEBUT DELIGHT FOR GERALD SIMUSOKWE
Since joining Forest Rangers from Lumwana Radiants in September 2021, defender Gerald Simusokwe has waited patiently for his time to don the colours of Fole Malembe.
The opportunity for the budding defender finally arrived last Saturday when coach Ian Bakala handed him a start against Nchanga Rangers at Trade Fair Grounds.
Simusokwe got the nod after skipper Cedric Djeugoue was ruled out of the match due to a personal matter.
With the Cameroonian out, Bakala partnered Chitoshi Chinga and Simusokwe at the heart of defence and the debutant centre back never looked out of place.
He was solid as a rock and perhaps made a statement to the technical bench.
Despite playing his first game for the Ndola side, Simusokwe never showed any signs of stage fright and wasted no time in inking his name on the score sheet as he put Forest in-front in four minutes.
Simusokwe powered in an Eric Chomba in-swinging corner past Nchanga keeper Victor Chabu to hand Forest their first home win of the season.
“A defender scored today and we have to give him credit but at the end of the day it is teamwork,” Bakala said in a post-match interview.
After opening his account, Simusokwe kept his cool and remained solid to stalwart out any threats from the lively Nchanga danger man Christian Saile and his partner Ronald Chibwe.
Simusokwe spent some time in the treatment room last year which somehow derailed his progress and delayed his debut.
Going by his performance against Nchanga, Simusokwe will be a serious contender for a starting place in the matches to come.
No Comments