By Kalumiana Kalumiana
ASEC Mimosa coach Julien Chavelier has described Saturday’s 1-0 CAF Champions League first round first leg away loss to Power Dynamos as a minor setback because they have experience dealing with such outcomes in continental football.
The victory at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola saw Power make a bright start to their 2025/2026 CAF Champions League campaign as they chase their debut group stage qualification.
Chavelier said in a post-match interview in Ndola that the full story of the two-legged tie against Power will be decided this Saturday in Abidjan.
“This is two games, the first game is important but the second game too is the same and we need to stay in a good position. Last year we also lost away but we secured qualification at home and we hope it will be the same this year,” Chavelier said.
In the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup, ASEC lost 2-1 away to ASC Kara of Togo but won 2-0 at home in Abidjan to advance to the group stage after enjoying a preliminary stage bye.
“Everything is possible, it is the game that will decide the qualification to the second round. We need to push and put pressure on our opponent (Power Dynamos) and score goals and after that everything will change,” Chavelier said.
Power secured the all-important goal in the 9th minute of the first half through Innocent Kashita.
A draw this weekend in Abidjan will see Power advance to next month’s pre-group stage to play African Stars of Namibia or Uganda champions Vipers FC for a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.
Vipers are currently in pole position after beating African Stars 1-0 away in the first leg played in Cape Town last Friday.
Meanwhile, in the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, Power’s compatriots ZESCO United have a huge job to overturn a 2-0 away loss to FC 105 of Gabon whom they host this Saturday in a preliminary stage, final leg fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
