By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Power Dynamos head coach Oswald Mutapa has challenged his players to maintain peak readiness as the MTN Super League season enters its decisive phase, insisting there can be “no excuse” for any drop in standards.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Kabwe Warriors, Mutapa underlined the importance of consistency with the title race tightening.
“We are going to the end of the season so with the team there is no way it can’t be ready this time around,” he said.
Power head into the fixture on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over rivals Nkana, a result that further strengthened their position at the top of the table. But Mutapa believes the competitive landscape in the league demands constant tactical awareness.
“Every team is playing the same way we are playing unless those that are not in the ABSA Cup. Many teams are playing the way we are playing so we need to adjust,” he explained.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, squad rotation is expected to play a key role. Mutapa expressed confidence in his depth, suggesting he has the resources to manage player workload without sacrificing results.
“Where one feels a bit tired, we are able to see from the way they are training and playing. We have enough manpower to rotate the players but also maintain the balance in trying to get the results.”
Despite the broader picture, the Power Dynamos boss is keeping his immediate focus firmly on the next assignment.
“For me the most important game is tomorrow’s game. After tomorrow’s game, that’s when we can look at other games as they come,” he added.
On the injury front, Mutapa confirmed that defender Deji is gradually returning, while midfielder Innocent Kashita is closing in on full fitness.
“Deji (Samuel Bamidele Ayodeji) is coming back from injury. He had a few minutes but it’s slow. We are not going to rush someone who is not fully fit,” he said. “And also Kashita is back in training. Hopefully in one to two weeks we might have him.”
Mutapa also called on supporters to play their part, highlighting the impact of fan backing in recent matches.
“To the supporters, not only those that will be traveling, we have supporters here in Kabwe so we need the support. In the previous game they gave us the support that we needed and we actually need it, even more now.”
Power Dynamos lead the standings with 58 points from 26 matches and have lost just once in their last 17 games across all competitions, underlining their strong form at a crucial stage.
In contrast, Kabwe Warriors sit fourth on 43 points from 27 games. They come into the match looking to respond after a 3-1 defeat to Red Arrows, having recorded two wins and two losses and a draw in their last five outings.
The two sides meet on Wednesday, 15 April at Railway Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 local time.
