Former Zambian international Francis Kasonde has warned Power Dynamos to expect a completely different challenge from Rivers United when the two sides meet in the return leg of their CAF Champions League Group A fixture following a goalless draw.
The Zambian champions currently sit at the bottom of Group A, while Rivers United are third with 1 point, with Pyramids and RS Berkane leading the group with 7 points apiece.
Speaking in an interview with BolaNews, Kasonde said Power Dynamos showed greater intent to win the match but was quick to point out that the poor state of the pitch affected both teams and failed to reflect the true quality of the contest.
“The main factor, which is the ground, is very bad. I don’t think it’s easy for the home team and the away team to play football,” Kasonde said. “I don’t know if the turf is heavy or too soft, because even the movement of the boys is not smooth. It’s very difficult to play football on that pitch.”
Kasonde believes Rivers United will pose a much tougher test in Nigeria, especially if the return match is played on a better surface.
“Power Dynamos looked like a team that wanted to win and they tried whatever they could, but the results were not coming,” he said.
“The pitch doesn’t reflect the real situation of the game because even the visitors struggled. Power Dynamos should expect a different match when they go to Nigeria, especially if Rivers United has a good pitch.”
Meanwhile, Kasonde also weighed in on Zesco United’s CAF Confederation Cup clash, in which the Ndola-based side lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, a result that has piled pressure on the Zambian side as they continue their search for a first win.
“Zesco United didn’t show hunger like a team that wanted to win,” Kasonde observed. “I think in the previous match they played much better than this one. They need to improve more in the next game.”
Kasonde, who featured for both Power Dynamos and Zesco United in his playing days, further expressed concern over the state of playing surfaces, warning that poor pitches could continue to disadvantage Zambian teams in continental competitions. “The worrying thing is that if we are not able to have good grounds to play on, it will be difficult because games are supposed to be won at home,” he said.
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