By Precious Bwale
Power Dynamos made a winning start to the four-team preseason tournament after edging Red Arrows 1-0 in an entertaining opening encounter at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Daniel Adoko scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute as Power Dynamos began their preparations for the new season with victory over the Airmen.
Power Dynamos looked the more convincing side for large periods, with their new additions showing encouraging signs as they continued to build combinations with the rest of the squad.
The match carried an intensity beyond that of a typical preseason friendly, with supporters in attendance creating an atmosphere closer to a competitive fixture.
Power Dynamos head coach Oswald Mutapa said the result was important, but the main objective was to assess his team’s fitness, combinations and progress under match conditions.
“The results are always important. Today, more of the atmosphere of a real game. Unlike friendlies where you have no spectators, today we had fans and you could see that it brings in a bit of pressure. That’s when you see how far you have gone in terms of levels of fitness,” Mutapa said.
Mutapa was also encouraged by the progress of new signing Wilson Chisala, who joined from Zanaco, while Joshua Mutale has returned to Arthur Davies Stadium.
“Budo, we know what quality he has, it’s just maybe lack of mileage in his legs, but he’s pushing also. Wilson, not worried about the levels of fitness, he’s able to run, he’s a box-to-box midfielder and the combinations were there to see that he’s someone we needed to bring in,” he added.
For Red Arrows, coach Chisi Mbewe played down the significance of the defeat, stressing that the tournament is primarily about assessing the team’s level of preparation.
“I think we are in preseason. I think the result should not matter most. I think we are trying to assess the level at which the team has reached in terms of preparation,” Mbewe said.
Despite the loss, Mbewe was pleased with the intensity shown by his players and said the contest had highlighted areas that require further work.
“So far so good. I love the intensity of the team. The competition against Power Dynamos has given us a clear view on which areas we need to work on, and I think I’m also happy with the way even the new players are settling in,” he said.
Mbewe estimates Red Arrows are about 75% prepared for the new season, with further work required before they reach their desired level.
The Airmen are rebuilding following the departure of influential player Albert Kangwanda, but Mbewe revealed the club has already brought in replacements, with some yet to feature in the tournament.
“We have got a couple of players. Others were just on the stands, on standby. I think you are yet to see them. We have found a replacement and we just hope that even these guys, when a player leaves, it is a chance for other players to take up the position and also express themselves,” Mbewe said.
Adoko’s first-half strike ultimately proved enough to give Power Dynamos the opening victory, while Red Arrows were left with valuable lessons from their first major test of preseason.
The tournament continues at Arthur Davies Stadium before moving to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for the final day, with the participating teams using the remaining matches to fine-tune their squads ahead of their respective CAF campaigns.
