Lions coach Russell Domingo expects another 'tight contest' against his former team Warriors

Russell Domingo is fast discovering that it's an old ally that's proving to the biggest competitor in the on-going 2025/26 domestic season. 

The Lions coach begun his coaching career down in Gqeberha where led his local team, the Warriors to the MTN40 and T20 Challenge titles, back in 2009–10 season. Domingo, 51, has since graduated to international cricket where he coached both the Proteas and Bangladesh, before moving back to South Africa to take charge at the Wanderers.

The hugely experienced mentor has elevated the Lions to the next tier since arriving at the Bullring with the Johannesburg-side having won a hat-trick of CSA 4-Day titles and the T20 Challenge for successive seasons under Domingo's tutorship. 

The recent 4-Day championship triumph was particularly pleasing as the Lions fought back from a difficult position to beat his former team, the Warriors, in the final.

In fact, it's the Warriors, who are coached by one of Domingo's former players Robin Peterson, that have pushed the Lions the hardest all season. 

The Warriors not only finished runners-up in the 4-Day Series, but have already claimed the T20 Challenge trophy this season, thereby ending the Lions' dominance in the shortest format.

Peterson's side have also started the 1-Day Cup in dominant fashion with victories over the Dolphins and Western Province and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the log when they face the Lions on Friday at the Wanderers. 

Domingo is fully aware of the challenge facing his team, especially after the weather has disrupted their 1-Day Cup campaign thus far with the Lions managing to beat Province in a rain-affected game before an abandoned match against North West in Potchefstroom.

"It's been a bit of a stop-start affair. Winning the first game against Province, also a shortened game due to rain and then getting rained off in Potch after being in what we thought was a really good position," Domingo told Independent Media.

"Really happy with the way we've batted thus far. Courtesy of Zubayr Hamza, he's played really well for us in all formats. 

"So, a big game for us on Friday against the Warriors. They've been very consistent this season, having reached two finals. They've won two out of two in the 1-Day Cup.

"They've started off really well and they've got a really well-disciplined, balanced team. We know it's going to be a tough encounter.

"We've had some really good games against the Warriors over the last couple of seasons and this one promises to be no different. I'm looking forward to another tight contest against the Warriors on Friday at the Wanderers."

The clash at the Wanderers gets underway at 1pm.

The Star is the official media partner of Lions Cricket.