Mutapa Confident as Power Dynamos Face Crucial Rivers United Test in Nigeria

Power Dynamos head coach Oswald Mutapa remains confident in his side’s ability to turn their CAF Champions League Group A campaign around as they prepare to face Nigeria’s Rivers United on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The Zambian champions left for Nigeria in the early hours of Wednesday, knowing that victory is non-negotiable as they cling to a slim, mathematical chance of progressing to the knockout stages. With Pyramids FC and Bakken both sitting on seven points, Mutapa insists Dynamos must focus on their own job, starting with the clash in Port Harcourt.

“We are always playing games to win, and the game against Rivers in Nigeria is the same,” Mutapa said. “It’s an important game for us. What we need to do is win our games, starting with this one.”

Power Dynamos are yet to score in the group stages, a statistic that has raised questions about pressure on the players. Mutapa, however, brushed aside concerns, insisting his side has the quality to find the net.

“Football is played with pressure,” he said. “The way we are creating chances, I don’t think we are a team that can’t score. At any given time, we can even score four goals. We just have to believe in ourselves and have confidence.”

The coach acknowledged his team’s wastefulness in front of goal but placed responsibility firmly on the players rather than the technical bench.

“We are missing chances, but it’s not the coach who goes in to score,” Mutapa added. “These are the same players who won us the league and have been scoring. We just ask them to take responsibility and convert the chances.”

Dynamos head into the match encouraged by their defensive solidity. Mutapa revealed his side is unbeaten this year and has kept four clean sheets, a platform he believes can fuel a positive result away from home.

“If we keep a clean sheet, create many chances and score, then it gives us a chance,” he said.

The two sides last met on Saturday, January 24, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, where they played out a frustrating 0–0 draw. Power Dynamos dominated the match with 22 shots but failed to capitalize, while Rivers United goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya delivered a standout performance to deny the hosts.

That stalemate earned Dynamos their first point of the group stage, though both teams remain under pressure after losing their opening two matches. Sunday’s return fixture now looms as a decisive moment, with Mutapa’s side determined to finally turn dominance into goals on the continental stage.