ZANACO FC head coach Numba Mumamba says his side is determined to end their inconsistent run of form when they face defending champions Power Dynamos in a high-stakes Week 30 MTN Super League encounter at Arthur Davies Stadium.
The Bankers head into the fixture under pressure, currently sitting seventh on the table with 42 points. A 2-1 defeat to Green Eagles last weekend extended a difficult spell that has seen them register just one win in their last five league matches, alongside two draws and two losses. The dip in form has slowed their push for a top-four finish, making this clash even more significant.
Despite the recent setbacks, Mumamba remains confident that his team can rise to the challenge against the league leaders. He emphasized the squad’s preparation and mentality, describing the upcoming fixture as an opportunity to reset their campaign.
“We’ve prepared accordingly. The team is set for Power Dynamos. This is going to be an interesting one,” Mumamba said. “The players are motivated for this game. We’ve gone through a difficult run, and this is the time to make amends.”
The challenge, however, could not be tougher. Power Dynamos have been the benchmark of consistency this season, sitting top of the standings with 64 points. The Kitwe giants are unbeaten in their last eight league matches and have extended that run to 14 games across all competitions, underlining their dominance as they push to retain the title.
Mumamba acknowledged the strength of their opponents but insisted ZANACO have the quality to compete and potentially secure a positive result. He pointed to belief within the squad as a critical factor heading into the encounter.
“We know Power are the defending champions and they are winning games week in, week out,” he said. “But looking at the players we have and the work we’ve done, we believe we can go there and get a result.”
A major concern for ZANACO in recent weeks has been their inefficiency in front of goal. Mumamba admitted that failure to convert chances has cost them valuable points, despite creating numerous scoring opportunities. Addressing this issue has been a key focus in training ahead of the match.
“We’ve created chances in recent games but haven’t taken them. That’s something we’ve worked on. We need to be clinical when the opportunities come,” he added.
Encouragingly for ZANACO, the reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 1-0 victory in their favour — proof that they can trouble the champions. However, current momentum clearly lies with Power Dynamos, who have combined defensive solidity with attacking efficiency throughout the campaign.
Historically, meetings between the two sides have been tightly contested. In their last seven encounters, both teams have recorded one win each, with five matches ending in draws — a statistic that highlights just how evenly matched they have been in recent years.
With Power Dynamos chasing the title and ZANACO desperate to revive their form, Saturday’s clash carries significant implications at both ends of the table. For the Bankers, it is a test of character; for the champions, another step toward defending their crown.
