Power Dynamos’ search for a first CAF Champions League group-stage win continued after the Zambian champions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Nigeria’s Rivers United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The hosts created enough chances to take all three points but poor finishing and an outstanding performance from Rivers goalkeeper Onisodumeya Osagie denied Power a much-needed victory. Prince Mumba, Chifundo Mphasi and substitute Moses Shumah were all guilty of squandering clear-cut opportunities on a night when Power needed a win to revive their qualification hopes.
The result leaves Power Dynamos bottom of the group with one point, five adrift of joint leaders Pyramids and RS Berkane, who meet later on the night.
Power started brightly and should have gone ahead inside 10 minutes when Eddy Ankobo found space in the box, but Osagie produced a brilliant close-range save. The Rivers shot-stopper was in inspired form and again came to his team’s rescue in the 21st minute, rushing off his line to deny Power skipper Prince Mumba after a slick passing move.
Osagie continued to frustrate the hosts, pulling off another point-blank save from Mumba around the half-hour mark to keep the scoreline level. With Power piling on pressure, Rivers responded by making the first change in the 37th minute, introducing midfielder Duke Osimaga for defender Ogechukwu Ogbu.
At half-time, Power coach Oswald Mutapa made a change of his own, bringing on Brian Masanyinga for Daniel Adoko. The hosts maintained their attacking intent after the restart, but Mphasi blazed over in the 55th minute.
Mutapa went back to his bench in the 64th minute, throwing on Moses Shumah for Frederick Mulambia in search of a breakthrough. However, it was Rivers who threatened next, with Taofeek Otaniyi forcing Willard Mwanza into a sharp near-post save in the 66th minute.
Further changes followed for Power as Innocent Kashita replaced Ankobo in the 68th minute. Shumah almost made an instant impact in the 74th minute, but his header was pushed onto the post by Osagie before Rivers cleared their lines.
Ronnel Manyanga was introduced with 10 minutes remaining as Power threw everything forward, but it was not to be. Shumah tested Osagie once more from long range in the 84th minute, only for the goalkeeper to tip the goal-bound effort away, summing up a night of frustration for the Kitwe giants.
