On Sunday, the 2026 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield will see Red Arrows, last season’s ABSA Cup winners, come up against Power Dynamos, the reigning MTN Super League champions.
The match is billed for Lusaka’s Nkoloma stadium, the home of Red Arrows, with kick off set at 15:00 hours.
Speaking ahead of the match, Red Arrows assistant coach Kalililo Kakonje says the team will rely on goals from across the squad when they face Power Dynamos.
Kakonje expects an exciting contest between two teams that have dominated Zambian football in recent seasons and says winning the Charity Shield would be significant for Red Arrows.
“I think you’re right to say it’s a very, very exciting game. I’m not only talking about ourselves; I think I’ll talk about Power Dynamos as well. This is a very interesting fixture,” Kakonje said.
“The two teams that have dominated the ABSA and the league in the recent past. So it is going to be a very exciting game. Entertaining game, that’s what I must say.”
Kakonje said his team had worked hard in preparation for the fixture and would attach importance to winning the trophy.
“For us, winning this charity shield is going to mean a lot. Any win in football means a lot. We have put in a lot of hard work preparing for this game. Coming out with a win will mean a lot to us,” he said.
The coach also explained that Red Arrows’ attacking output has seen goals coming from different players.
“I think Albert [Kangwanda] did very well for us last season. But if you look at us, I think from pre-season up to now, I think the team has improved in terms of motivation. In the past two outings, we managed to score four goals,” Kakonje said.
“Not an easy game” – Saddam Phiri.
“So we have goals coming from different players. Not one player consistently, but different players getting us goals. Goals are coming.”
Kakonje highlighted Eliya Mandanji and Sadam Phiri among the players who have already found the net this season.
Red Arrows captain Saddam Phiri said the team understands the significance of facing the country’s defending league champions and hopes victory will provide confidence ahead of the MTN Super League transitional league.
“Not an easy game. Obviously, the top two teams in the country and everyone are betting on a win. It won’t be easy,” Phiri said.
“This game will bring us confidence in the league games. This one is no different. We just hope for an exciting game.”
Power Dynamos, eliminated from the CAF Champions league, have been working on their finishing, with the assistant coach Linos Makwaza Snr saying goals coring has been a collective responsibility rather than one limited to the forwards.
“We have been doing that in training, working on our finishing. It’s the whole team. It’s not the strikers,” he said. “We have been training, finishing. Hopefully, goals will come.”
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