Kansanshi Dynamos head coach Mohamed Fathi has labelled his side’s trip to Choma as a defining test of their revival when they face Green Eagles in a crucial Week 22 fixture of the MTN Super League.
The reverse fixture still stings. Eagles claimed victory in Solwezi earlier this season — a result that Fathi admits adds extra significance to Saturday’s encounter.
“We are facing Eagles next, the team that beat us in Solwezi. That alone makes this a very important game for us,” Fathi said. “Since I returned, we have adjusted our tactics with the technical bench and the team is improving.”
Dynamos’ recent form suggests progress. They have climbed out of the relegation zone and now sit 13th on 22 points, seven behind eighth-placed Eagles, who have 29. But Fathi is taking nothing for granted as the fight to steer clear of danger intensifies.
“Our record is improving and we are out of the relegation zone, but we need to maintain the same performance and collect points from every game,” he stressed. “This match will not be easy. We are preparing to get something positive and we don’t want to leave Choma empty-handed.”
Momentum, however, favours the hosts. Eagles are unbeaten in their last three matches, while Dynamos are winless in their previous two. History also leans heavily towards the Choma side — in the last nine meetings, Eagles have won six, lost just once, with two encounters ending goalless.
Dynamos were left frustrated in their most recent outing after missing what Fathi described as a “big chance” to secure maximum points. Yet the Egyptian tactician chose to focus on resilience rather than regret.
“We had a big chance to win the last game, but the most important thing is that we didn’t lose everything, we gained something. Now it’s a different plan, a different approach, and full focus on Eagles.”
The journey from Solwezi to Choma is among the longest in Zambian domestic football, but Fathi dismissed any suggestion that travel could become a factor.
“Distance is not an excuse. We have experienced this before in continental football. What matters is our mentality. We are focused on getting a positive result and making our supporters proud.”
There is added encouragement for Dynamos with the return of previously injured players, a development Fathi believes has lifted morale and sharpened internal competition.
“The players are coming back together again. The morale is high, the concentration is there, and everyone understands what it takes to move this team to a better position in the league.”
