Power Dynamos FC coach Osward Mutapa has responded to questions about his Zambian team’s failure to score goals in the ongoing CAF Champions’ League (CAFCL) group-phase.
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The trainer addressed the MTN Super League champions’ impotence after going three straight games without tracing the back of the net in the continental league.
In the latest show of timidity in front of goal, the Kitwe-based outfit drew 0-0 with Rivers United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia on Saturday.
The hosts failed to take advantage of multiple scoring opportunities. The barren draw was also partly due to the Nigerian opponents’ goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya’s solid exploits between the sticks.
Speaking to his team’s media, Mutapa has now reacted to the concerns about Dynamos’ inefficiency upfront, suggesting that it was not his responsibility.
“Football is played with pressure. The way we are creating chances, I don’t think we are a team that can’t score. We are a team that, at any given time, can even score four goals. We just have to believe in ourselves and have that self-confidence. Yes, we are missing a lot of chances, but I don’t think it is the coach who is supposed to go in and score those chances,” he said.
MUTAPA PLAYS BALL BACK TO HIS PLAYERS
The 52-year-old has since played the ball back to the court of his players to end their goal drought that has resulted in them anchoring Group A with one point.
“For me, it is just a matter of taking responsibility. These are the same players that won us the league, and the same players that have been scoring. We just ask for responsibility to take their chances,” he added.
Ahead of the away match against Rivers United this weekend, the Zambian insisted that his team, which trails joint leaders RS Berkane and Pyramids by six points, can bounce back into contention.
“We are always playing all the games to win, and for the game against Rivers in Nigeria, it is the same. It is an important game for us.
"Yes, they have seven points, Pyramids FC and Berkane, but what we need to do is win our games starting with the game against Rivers in Nigeria,” Mutapa added.
The coach stressed the need for the Zambian champions to build on their four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
“If we are able to keep clean sheets, then try to create as many chances, then try to score, then all will be fine,” he said.
Dynamos have travelled with a strong squad comprising almost all the players who featured in the first leg against Rivers United over the weekend. The traveling squad includes Nigerian defender Samuel Bamidele, Zambian international Dominic Chanda and Kenyan forward Moses Shumah.
Dynamos, who are based in Kitwe, arrived in Lusaka on Tuesday before departing for Nigeria in the early hours of Wednesday.