Power Dynamos kept their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final ambitions firmly on track with a gutsy 1-0 away victory over Rivers United in Group A on Sunday night.
Kondwani Chiboni’s second-half strike proved decisive at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, as the Zambian champions delivered a disciplined and mature performance to secure one of their most important continental results in recent seasons.
After a tightly contested first half, Dynamos struck five minutes after the restart. Prince Mumba slipped the ball wide to Chiboni, whose teasing delivery across goal caused panic in the Rivers United defence. The cross evaded everyone — including the goalkeeper — before nestling into the net to hand “the Aba Yellow” a priceless lead in the 50th minute.
From there, Dynamos showed resilience and game management, soaking up pressure from the hosts and limiting Rivers United to half-chances as the Nigerian side searched desperately for a response. The visitors remained compact and organised, defending their advantage with composure to see out the contest.
The result lifts Power Dynamos to four points from four matches, following a draw in the reverse fixture in Kitwe on January 24. They now sit third in the group, behind leaders Pyramids FC and Morocco’s RS Berkane, but crucially remain firmly in contention with two games still to play. Rivers United, meanwhile, stay bottom with just one point.
Dynamos’ fate is now firmly in their own hands. They return home next to host RS Berkane at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday, February 7, before travelling to Cairo a week later for a daunting final group fixture against Pyramids FC.
Elsewhere in Group A, reigning champions Pyramids FC underlined their growing authority in Africa’s premier club competition with a commanding 3-0 win over RS Berkane in Cairo. Goals from Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez, Nasser Maher and Ahmed Atef secured a comfortable victory at the Air Defence Stadium, moving the Egyptian side to 10 points — three clear at the top and on the brink of qualification for the last eight.
With momentum restored and belief growing, Power Dynamos now head into the decisive phase of the group stage knowing that their historic continental run remains very much alive.
