By Precious Bwale
MTN Super League Champion elect Power Dynamos’ ABSA Cup campaign came to an end in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday afternoon.
Oswald Mutapa’s men suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of defending Champions, Red Arrows in a semifinal tie played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Despite dominating play in both halves, Power Dynamos couldn’t find the back of the net, and Red Arrows capitalized on their chances.
The only goal of the game came in the 57th minute when Joseph Phiri scored a crucial goal for Red Arrows, putting the defending champions ahead. Power Dynamos pushed hard for an equalizer, but their efforts were in vain.
After the match, Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa reflected on the game saying he is not worried that his strikers couldn’t score.
“I am not worried because these are the same players that have been scoring. We have scored a lot of goals more than any other team. We are the best in the league.” He added, “It’s just a game; we missed chances, and they got theirs,” Mutapa told the ZamFoot Crew.
Looking ahead to the Zambia Super League, Coach Mutapa advised the players and fans to stay focused; They don’t need to look down; they have gone 12 games unbeaten. We are disappointed with the result, but we are not disappointed with how we played.” He urged fans to turn up in numbers, saying, “They are our 12th player; we need to wrap it up in our stadium.”
Red Arrows assistant coach Kalililo Kakonje praised his team’s efforts as they beat ‘the best team’.
He acknowledged that the team had experienced an unexpected season but was proud of how the players had fought.
“It wasn’t easy going against a team that has been the best so far in the league,” he said.
“We planned this game differently from the league, and what we planned, we could see it, and it got us a win,” he added.
With the league championship out of reach, Red Arrows is now focused on retaining the ABSA Cup.
Kakonje promised the fans that the team would give its best.
“We are looking to finish the season with a smile – our fans’ faces, our sponsors’ faces – and the only thing that’s going to make us smile is the ABSA Cup.”
The Airmen will face record 6 time winners ZESCO United in the final set for 10th May.
