After recording their first-ever CAF Champions League group stage victory with a 1–0 win away to Nigeria’s Rivers United in Uyo on Sunday evening, Power Dynamos head coach Oswald Mutapa is optimistic that his side can still qualify for the knockout stage.
With two matches remaining in the group stage, Power Dynamos sit third in Group A on four points and will host RS Berkane in Ndola this Saturday.
RS Berkane are second in the group with seven points, but come into the fixture on the back of a 3–0 defeat to leaders Pyramids. The Egyptian side now top the group with 10 points and need only a draw to secure qualification, while Rivers United remain bottom with just one point.
Despite the tight race for the top two places, Mutapa remains confident his team can progress.
“Impossible is nothing. We have two games to play. That’s six points,” he told a post-match press conference on Sunday. “Like I’ve said, if in football you can’t rule out anything, we just have to be positive about it. We play at home, get the three points, then see how it goes with the last game.”
However, Mutapa bemoaned his side’s poor finishing, admitting they are creating numerous chances but failing to convert them.
“I do share the same sentiments,” responded Mutapa when asked whether he agreed that his team had been wasteful.
He added, “This is a team; even in the local league, we are able to create more than 10 chances but only maybe score one. And we have asked our players to take responsibility. Let’s be clinical in front of the goal. Let’s have the confidence to play as champions of the Zambian League. But yes, you’re right. We’re wasteful in front of the goal.”
Mutapa also felt his defenders did not perform to the expected level against Rivers United, stating, “Defence-wise, especially our central players didn’t defend as we would love them to do. They’re good players that are able to defend, but today it wasn’t there. But at the end of the day, we get the three points, and we move forward.”
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