Power Dynamos made it five wins in a row, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mutondo Stars at Arthur Davies Stadium on Sunday.

Salulani Phiri’s 49th-minute strike was enough to seal the points, pushing Power Dynamos level on 22 points with Zesco United at the top of the Zambian Super League, ahead only on goal difference as they head into the international break.

Despite being in strong form, Power had to dig deep against a well-drilled Mutondo side that was intent on shutting down their play.

Speaking to the press, coach Osward Mutapa admitted his side was challenged but found ways to break through.

“Tough game. They came with a plan; they restricted our movement, but we still made some inroads in trying to get goals, which we definitely got.”

Mutapa remained level-headed despite the winning streak, stressing the need to keep momentum even with the break ahead.

“Five games consecutive, nice feeling,” he said, “but just because there’s a break doesn’t mean we can relax. We have to go and prepare because we still have games to play.”

With another three points in the bag, Power Dynamos head into the break sitting at the top, sharing the same points tally as Zesco but boasting a superior goal difference. 

Zesco United seized the lead through David Simukonda early in the first half, but the home team, Green Buffaloes, forced a 1-1 tie with a goal 14 minutes before halftime on Sunday at Edwin Imboela Stadium.

Chilimba Moonga, the captain of Buffaloes, hushed the equaliser with a deft post header to move the Nyanta Boys into third position on the log with 19 points, tied with the Kabwe Warriors in fourth place.