By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Power Dynamos head coach Osward Mutapa has challenged his players to raise their performance levels after the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to FC MUZA in the Transitional League in Mazabuka on Saturday.
Solomon Mpasela scored the decisive goal, with his effort taking a deflection on its way into the net to hand MUZA maximum points and leave Power with work to do ahead of their next assignment.
Mutapa admitted the result was disappointing but insisted his side had opportunities to get back into the contest, only to fall short in front of goal.
“It was not a good result, not the result that we wanted. They scored through a deflection. We had a few chances that we could have equalised and maybe won it, but it wasn’t to be,” Mutapa said.
The defeat presents an early setback for the champions, who must now regroup quickly as they prepare for one of the biggest fixtures on the Zambian football calendar.
Mutapa said the team would maintain its general approach but acknowledged that greater effort and a stronger response would be required following the loss.
“The approach will be the same, but we have to be aware that we are coming from a loss, so we need to do more in terms of how to go and get a result,” he added.
Power will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s Kitwe derby against Nkana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where they will be eager to bounce back and restore momentum.
The local rivalry adds further significance to the encounter, with both sides expected to approach the contest with determination as Power seek an immediate response to their defeat in Mazabuka.
