By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Power Dynamos coach Osward Mutapa says CAF Champions League quarterfinal destiny is now in their hands but they will stay humble and very focused heading into Saturdays final Group A decider against away in Cairo, Egypt against defending champions Pyramids FC.
Last Saturday, group stage debutants Power put themselves in strong contention for 2025/2026 CAF Champions League quarterfinal qualification when they beat Moroccan champions RS Berkane 2-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in their penultimate Group A fixture.
The result saw third placed Power tied on 7 points with number two side Berkane and are three points behind Group A leaders Pyramids, who were by press time away to bottom of the table Rivers United in Nigeria.
Mutapa said in his post-match interview that getting back-to-back Group A wins gives them momentum to face unbeaten Pyramids.
Power head to Egypt unbeaten in their last three games with a draw and two successive victories that have earned them their first points in Group A after five rounds played.
”It gives us momentum going there. We know it’s the last game. So we’ll be motivated because it will be the last game. We give it our all. See how it goes. We know we have a chance,” Mutapa said.
”We are able to get something from them. I think we played against them here. We played more like we have played today.”
Power narrowly lost the first leg against Pyramids 1-0 played at Levy on match day two of the CAF Champions League group stage on November 29.
”We never gave them a chance to play but we didn’t score but today I think there is a possibility that we took in scoring two goals,” Mutapa said.
”We have a chance in the last game to go to the quarterfinals. So I think nearly everyone who went in today was motivated. You could see from the way everyone was running.”
Ronel Manyanga scored the first goal in the 47th minute and the final goal came in stoppage time when Prince Mumba tapped in Chifundo Mpasi’s cross from the left.
”Competing the way they were competing. I think in football times it’s more of attitude. We have to put our two feet on the ground. And go there. Because we also need to perform,” Mutapa said.
”It won’t be easy. Just like today’s game. It wasn’t easy.But I think with the character and the attitude of everyone involved, we are able to get the result. Going forward, yes, we need to show more character because we have shown that we can compete with the big boys.”
The spotlight is now solely on Power in the closing round of continental group stages after compatriots Zesco United were eliminated from the race in the CAF Confederation Cup group phase with two games to spare.
ZESCO were by press time on Sunday hosting Zamalek in their formality Group D fixture at Levy Stadium.
