FAZ President Keith Mweemba has called on Zambian football powerhouses Power Dynamos and ZESCO United to push beyond preliminary success and restore Zambia’s lost four CAF continental slots. His message came after witnessing one of Zambia’s finest weekends in recent continental history, with both clubs advancing to the next round of their respective CAF competitions.
In Ndola, ZESCO United delivered a historic comeback at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, overturning a 2–0 first-leg defeat by humiliating Canon 105 of Gabon with a commanding 5–0 victory. The performance embodied aggression, control and absolute belief — the exact qualities Mweemba insists Zambian clubs must consistently display if the country is to reclaim its continental respect. “This is what we expect from Zambian football. Not just participation, but domination,” he said passionately.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away in Ivory Coast, Power Dynamos showed character and mental toughness in one of Africa’s most intimidating football atmospheres. Despite losing 1–0 to Asec Mimosas in regulation time, they remained composed and held firm to force penalties. Goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga emerged as the hero, saving the decisive spot-kick to seal a 5–4 shootout victory, sending the Kitwe side into the next round of the CAF Champions League.
Looking ahead, Power Dynamos now face Vipers SC of Uganda, a side that eliminated African Stars of Namibia with a deserved 2–0 aggregate win. Unlike Asec, Vipers play a more structured and physical style, relying heavily on quick transitions and wide overloads. Power Dynamos will need to strike a balance between discipline and adventure — keeping defensive shape while maximizing the pace of attackers like Kennedy Musonda and Fredrick Mulambia. It’s not just about qualification anymore; it’s about making a continental statement.
For ZESCO United, their journey continues against Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana, who edged Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers on post-match penalties. Galaxy may not have the star power of other African giants, but they are known for tactical intelligence and patient buildup play. ZESCO must avoid complacency; their emphatic 5–0 win should be seen not as a conclusion but as a standard to maintain. Coach Emmanuel Siwale now faces the task of keeping his players grounded while channeling this momentum into consistency.
President Mweemba was clear in his challenge — qualifying alone is no longer enough. Zambia has suffered years of continental decline, losing high-ranking positions due to early exits. Now, with two strong contenders in good form, the mission is bigger than club glory. It is about national redemption, coefficient recovery, and restoring Zambia’s name among Africa’s elite.
