Power Dynamos assistant coach Linos Makwaza has praised Mufulira Wanderers following a hard-fought semifinal clash that saw his side progress to the ABSA Cup final via a tense penalty shootout.
The encounter lived up to expectations, with both sides battling intensely over the course of the match before Power Dynamos held their composure from the spot to secure victory. The result keeps alive their ambitions of completing a domestic double this season.
Makwaza acknowledged the quality and resilience of Wanderers, crediting them for pushing his team to the limit in what proved to be a physically and tactically demanding contest.
“Wanderers gave us a good run for our money. They played good football and we had to match them,” Makwaza said. “We knew they are young and energetic, but what matters is we carried the day.”
The semifinal came at a challenging time for Power Dynamos, who have been navigating a congested fixture schedule. Having recently played a rescheduled MTN Super League match, fatigue was a factor, but Makwaza was encouraged by his team’s ability to dig deep and deliver under pressure.
“The games are coming thick and fast, and it took a toll on us. But the boys gave their best,” he added, highlighting the squad’s resilience.
With their place in the final secured, Power Dynamos now shift focus to maintaining momentum on two fronts. The Kitwe giants remain firmly in the MTN Super League title race while also chasing cup glory, setting up the possibility of a historic double.
“We are ready for whoever we face in the final. We are looking for a double,” Makwaza declared.
The stakes for the final are significant. Winners of the ABSA Cup will walk away with K1,100,000, while the runners-up will receive K450,000. Individual accolades are also on offer, with K25,000 prizes for the Player of the Tournament, Golden Boot winner, and Golden Glove recipient, while Man of the Match awards in the latter stages carry a K15,000 reward.
Power Dynamos will now look to translate their strong form into silverware as they prepare for the final, with confidence high after overcoming one of the competition’s toughest tests.
