Zambia’s representatives in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, Power Dynamos and FC Muza, were eliminated from the competitions, respectively, on Sunday.
Power Dynamos were eliminated on the away goal rule following a 3-3 aggregate score after they drew 1-1 with Simba SC at the Azam Complex in Tanzania.
READ HERE: Power Dynamos knock themselves out of the CAF Champions League
FC Muza, on the other hand, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Diables Noirs in Congo Brazzaville in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie to exit the competition with a 4-1 aggregate loss.
Power Dynamos were making their fourth appearance in the tournament but their dreams of making it to the group stage failed once again while FC MUZA were making their debut Confederations Cup.
Nyirenda’s words for Power Dynamos and FC Muza
Reacting to the elimination of the two Zambian envoys in the CAF competitions, former Chipolopolo and current Zanaco FC coach Wedson Nyirenda has urged them to pick positives from the tournament.
“A very sad day for my nation. Our reps in CAF both bow out. For Power Dynamos, it was so near, yet it was so far. For Muza, it was a different ball game and a learning curve. I pray we shall do better next edition, but it takes introspection before you make a progressive correction,” Nyirenda posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “A big fight against the consistent Simba FC. That is progress, but we don’t trust the process. The only way to become better is when we see Power in CAF next edition.
“And again, if they don’t qualify for next season, then the ones coming will be new to the level and will be like learners too. Clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, and Tp Mazembe are consistently part of the CAF tournament, and they now know what it takes,” observed Nyirenda.
The 57-year-old coach helped Zanaco qualify for their first-ever group-stage appearance in 2010 in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Nyirenda also guided Zesco United to their first-ever league title in 2007 and qualified them for the CAF Champions League.
The elimination of Power Dynamos and Muza from the CAF competitions means that the Zambian Super League has dropped from 15th to 21st position in the CAF rankings.
