Power Dynamos gaffer Mwenya Chipepo was not impressed with the state of the pitch at the Edwin Imboela Stadium, outlining that as one of the reasons for the mediocre showing.
The league leaders missed out on an opportunity to go 10 points clear and effectively end the title race. They played out a 0-0 draw with fellow title contenders Green Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon.
It was Green Buffaloes who played the more proactive football, despite their manager only watching from the stands. Masauso Tembo was shown a red card in a goalless stalemate with Green Eagles last month.
Speaking in a postmatch interview, Chipepo admitted: “We were playing a very tough game away from home. Green Buffaloes performed very well this afternoon, so it wasn’t easy for us to even pick one point.”
“The guys (Green Buffaloes) know how to play on their home ground. Today, we suffered, especially in the first half. That’s why I couldn’t even allow the players to give the goalkeeper back passes. So we didn’t play our usual game today.”
However, Chipepo was happy with the result, stating, “All that we wanted was to make sure that we picked 3 points or 1 point. We didn’t want to lose and told the players to make sure that at least the Green Buffaloes didn’t score. An away point is better than nothing.”
“Most of the teams have studied Andy Boyeli” – admits Chipepo
The manager also discussed the failure of his marksman Andy Boyeli, to find the back of the net. He confessed, “You know, they have studied him. Most of the teams have studied Andy Boyeli. He doesn’t have space because most teams are using two players to mark him. But going forward, we are going to make a plan for him to start scoring again.”
Boyeli has not scored in Aba Yellow’s last two games, despite an explosive start with the Kitwe-based club after joining from Chambishi FC Middleway through the season.
He scored eight goals in the first five games, including one assist, one hat trick, and two braces.
Meanwhile, Chipepo expressed his excitement to welcome the Power Dynamos fans back to the Arthur Davies Stadium as they host Chambishi FC on April 16.
The gaffer said, “We are very happy that our supporters are back now. So we will welcome them with three points.”
The spectators were handed a five-match ban from the stadium following their unruly behavior in a fixture against Green Buffaloes FC last year.
Aba Yellow have been winless during those five home encounters without fans, obtaining only five points from the possible 15.
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Up next for the log leaders is an ABSA Cup semi-final against Ian Bakala’s Forest Rangers this Saturday.
Chipepo, who eyes the prestigious League and Cup double, affirmed, “We just have to win because we are playing at our home ground. It’s the best ground on the Copperbelt, so I’m sure the guys will give you a good game.”
