Confidence in the Power Dynamos camp is high with head coach Oswald Mutapa and defender Samuel Bamidele eying their first win in the CAF Champions League group stage when they face Nigerian side Rivers United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium tomorrow.
Power initially had a good run in the Champions League, eliminating Asec Mimosas of the Ivory Coast and Vipers of Rwanda in the preliminary round. However, the going has been tough since they made it to the group stage.
They have suffered two opening defeats in the group stage, to Pyramids of Egypt and RS Berkane of Morocco, leaving their hopes to qualify for the quarterfinals hanging in the balance.
Speaking at the pre-match conference at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Mutapa said his team has been on a good run in the league this year and that has given them some confidence going into the game against Rivers.
“We are ready for tomorrow’s game. This year we have played three local matches and won all of them. Those games have helped us improve, especially in terms of match fitness and confidence,” Mutapa, a former Chipolopolo assistant coach, said.
Power Dynamos in Good form
Power Dynamos have enjoyed a rich vein of form in the Super League as they prepare for their CAF Champions League Group Stage clash against Nigeria’s Rivers United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
After 17 league matches, Power sit top of the table with 35 points, four ahead of second-placed Red Arrows, who have played two games fewer.
The Kitwe giants head into Saturday’s continental encounter on the back of a three-match winning run in the league.
They began the year with a 2–0 victory over Mutondo Stars at Arthur Davies Stadium on January 10, before edging Green Eagles 1–0 four days later.
Their most recent triumph came on January 18, when they saw off Mufulira Wanderers 1–0 at Shinde Stadium. The result boosted confidence ahead of the Rivers United showdown.
Bamidele said his team is playing for a win.
“Every game is there for us to win, especially as champions from last season,” he said.
The Nigerian said he is fully focused on helping his team beat a team from his homeland. “Playing against my home country team is part of my job…. They [Rivers United] also came to do their job and I have to do mine tomorrow. We know what is at stake; we will do all we can to get a victory,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rivers United captain Temple Emekayi said his side is not here for a holiday.
“We did not come here to go sightseeing….. And the morale in camp is very high. We‘re just waiting for tomorrow [Saturday]. We are very happy to be here in Zambia. We are coming with our A game and our target for this game is a victory,” Emekayi said.
Like Power, Rivers are yet to win a game in the group stage.
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