The international break is an unwelcome interruption to Power Dynamos; their fans will fear the hiatus might slow their momentum. For Zanaco supporters, maybe this is what their team needed.
As we look forward to Chipolopolo’s encounter against the Ivory Coast, let’s savour some highlights from the Super League Week 11.
Mutapa Magic
As expected, Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa has remained unfazed by his team’s turn of fortunes, weeks after he feared for his job after an inconsistent start to the season.
On Saturday, Power recorded their sixth win of the season, five in a row. But that has not always been like this. There was a time when things looked bleak for the man nicknamed Mourinho.
In the first six games, his side recorded one win, four straight draws, and one defeat. At that stage, Bolanews understood that some executives at Arthur Davies Stadium were entertaining the idea of firing Mutapa.
However, the experienced trainer trusted his methods and is now having the last laugh if recent results are anything to go by. The turnaround has silenced his critics.
Power will spend the international break on the summit, thanks to the 1–0 home win against Mutondo Stars.
Atletico can’t win outside Lusaka
They are not called Atletico Lusaka, after all. The bad boys excel when playing in the capital but find it tough whenever they step outside the boundaries of the busy city.
All of their three wins of the season so far have come when playing in the capital, while their four defeats have been picked when playing outside town.
On Saturday, they were hoping to get their first result outside Lusaka but ended up settling for a 3–0 defeat to inconsistent Kabwe Warriors.
For all their champagne football, the Bad Boys are yet to figure out how to win outside Lusaka; they will wish the Super League was a provincial league.
Can Wada survive the international break?
Wedson Nyirenda is a man under pressure; his side goes into the international break with a frown. The 1–0 loss to Napsa Stars meant the Bankers were on a 10–match winless run.
This does not make good reading for a coach so revered as Nyirenda; spending the international break in the relegation zone will hurt his ego. He will probably be targeting a strong comeback.
There are other highlights from this weekend’s action, such as Mutondo Stars’s continued free fall, Indeni’s failed bid to register a first win, and Robert Tembo’s sacking at Nchanga Rangers.
What else caught your eye?
READ MORE: Beston Chambeshi tips Grant’s Chipolopolo to beat Ivory Coast