Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa says his side paid the price for a slow start after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al Merreikh in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie in Rwanda.
A first-half penalty proved decisive as the Sudanese giants secured a slender advantage ahead of the return fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday, 12 September. Mutapa admitted that Power Dynamos struggled to find their rhythm during the opening stages but felt his players improved as the match progressed.
“It’s bad we have lost, but I feel we didn’t start very well,” Mutapa said.
“I think the first 15-20 minutes we didn’t play our game. The time we played our game, we conceded through a penalty, which I don’t think it was because I feel our player kicked the ball before he touched him.”
Power Dynamos produced a better display after the break, with Al Merreikh choosing to protect their narrow advantage and look for opportunities on the counter-attack. Mutapa was encouraged by the improvement but acknowledged that his team needed to create more opportunities.
“Much better second half. I guess they were comfortable with 1-0 and trying to play on the counter,” Mutapa said.
“We tried to play, didn’t create as much as we would have loved, but at the end of the day, first half we are down 1-0, we have to play the second half at home.”
The defeat leaves Power Dynamos with a deficit to overturn in the second leg as they look to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive. The MTN Super League champions will need to produce a much stronger performance in Ndola if they are to eliminate Al Merreikh and progress to the next round.
Aba Yellow will need to win by at least two goals to secure qualification without the need for a penalty shoot-out, making the return encounter a crucial test for Mutapa’s side.
With home advantage on their side, Power Dynamos will be hoping for a stronger start and a more clinical attacking display when the two sides meet again at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on 12 September.
