Power Dynamos began their CAF Champions League Group A campaign with a 3–0 defeat to Morocco’s RS Berkane on Saturday night at the Berkane Municipal Stadium.
Berkane, who won the CAF Confederation Cup last season, took the lead 14 minutes into the match when Power Dynamos captain Aaron Katebe scored an own goal. Two minutes later, Mounir Chouiar doubled the advantage with a precise finish, sending the hosts into the break 2–0 ahead.
In the second half, Senegalese striker Paul Bassene sealed the victory for the Moroccan side from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after being fouled by Dominic Chanda, completing a 3–0 scoreline.
Speaking after the match, Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa said his team failed to stick to their tactical plan.
“We didn’t do much. We had the plan; we shouldn’t allow them to score in the first 15 minutes, but that’s where we allowed in two goals,” Mutapa told the press conference.
“After the two goals, I think we did much better, especially in the last 20 minutes. But this is football, where if you are scored in the first 15 minutes, you have to chase results, and you have to chase the game. So it was going to be difficult, but I feel we have learnt lessons, which we knew. If we allow them to score early, and they did score the two goals through our own mistakes: one, we didn’t close up; the other one, he thought it was out, but played to the whistle. This is football,” Mutapa bemoaned.
Power shift focus on Pyramids
Power Dynamos will host defending champions Pyramids next Saturday at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in their second Group A match.
Pyramids thrashed Rivers United of Nigeria 3–0 in their opening fixture.
Mutapa said the team’s focus has now shifted to their upcoming assignment.
“Its water under the bridge. We look forward to the next game, the coming weekend. We shouldn’t look down. If we look down, then it means we’re out. This is football and football is for the brave. We lose, tomorrow, we start working on our mistakes and then try and give in the best in the next game. We have to play five more games. So it’s important that we move away from today’s loss and concentrate on the next year.”
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