Power Dynamos will be back to local league action tomorrow as they visit Nchanga Stadium to face Nchanga Rangers in a rescheduled week five MTN Super League encounter.
Aba Yellow are fresh from booking a place in the group stage of the CAF Champions League after seeing off Ugandan Champions, Vipers SC.
Mutapa says the group stage is a start of hard work but for now the focus is returning to league action and planning how to face Nchanga Rangers.
Mutapa says the team will try and manage the tight schedule they have by rotating the players but keeping the shape of the team.
“Yeah, thank you so much. Yeah, I think we should be happy that we have gone to the group stage, but it symbolises the start of hard work. The group stage won’t be easy. But, of course, we have to shift to the local league, playing Nchanga Rangers tomorrow. Yes, we have played five games, like you alluded to. We have four extra games to play. A tight schedule, but I feel we have the human resource that will help us achieve,” he said.
“Yes, we will try and balance, because we equally have two more games in the group stage in November, plus the five that we’ll play, that will be seven, which is too much, but I feel we’ll try and manage by rotating, but making sure that we still have the balance in the team,” he added.
Chipolopolo goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga missed the two CAF Champions League games against the Venoms due to illness but Mutapa has confirmed that he has returned to the set up and is part of the match day squad.
“Yeah, rotation is one of them, but those that don’t have mileage in their legs are doing more than the ones that have had so much games in their legs. So, yes, we have everyone in camp, those that are registered, minus Lombe Mutale and Jericho Mwila that are on long-term injuries, but we have everyone around. Lawrence is back. So we try to see how we rotate and also how we give others some rest. So it’s important that we give others rest and meanwhile still maintain the balance in the team,” he said.
The Kitwe giants suffered a 2-1 loss to Red Arrows before their back to back CAF Champions League games but Mutapa says that’s water under the bridge as the game against Nchanga Rangers will be a different affair.
“I think the Red Arrows’ loss, I think, swallowed in the Champions League. I think we did better and I feel people should recommend that we came from a loss against Red Arrows, went on to win in Uganda, came and drew, and got a result that has taken us to the group stage. So we are not going to look at the Red Arrows’ game. Tomorrow will be a different ball game. Of course, take into consideration how Rangers have been doing. I think they haven’t lost at home, playing so well. It will be a tough game, but if we have to play Champions League next season, we need to start winning and we need to start winning by tomorrow,” Mutapa said.
Mutapa has asked the fans to turn out in numbers and support the team as they try to give them the positive results they want.
“The supporters have been fantastic for the team. Like always, we just ask them to come in numbers, give the support that is needed by the players. In return we give the result.I think the team has been doing well so far and I guess even the supporters can’t complain. But this is football. It’s not only one result. There are three results. But we are always positive. And we take each game positively and always look for a positive result,” he said.
The match is set for 15h00 kick off at Nchanga Stadium with charges set at K20 for open win and K200 for VIP.
