Dynamos ready to roar in Zambia: Mablanyo

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Dynamos FC, the 16-time Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League champions, are unfazed as they prepare to face ZESCO United in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25 first preliminary round. The match is set to take place at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola on Saturday.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe expressed his team's confidence, emphasizing that the 1-0 advantage from the first leg has given them a valuable understanding of their opponents. He dismissed any notion of a home-field advantage for ZESCO, highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

"Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia are one country; we are one people," Chigowe declared. "When we are here in Zambia, we are at home. Myself, I was born here; my father had a farm here in Zambia in Mumbwa (district). Zimbabwe and Zambia are Siamese twins."

The Dynamos coach acknowledged ZESCO's potential to pose a threat but reiterated his team's determination to play with pride and secure a place in the next round. "When Dynamos goes to sleep, Zimbabwean football goes to sleep," he said. "We are the flagbearers, we must lead the way in resuscitating football in Zimbabwe, and we take the responsibility to do that."

Dynamos captain Frank Makarati echoed his coach's sentiments, expressing excitement for the challenge ahead. "We played last week with ZESCO and we saw how they played, so from our side we are ready to face them again on Saturday," Makarati said. "We are very ready, and it's going to be an electrifying match because we are facing one of the biggest clubs in Zambia."

As the two teams prepare for the decisive encounter, the football world will be watching with anticipation to see if Dynamos can continue their journey in the CAF Confederation Cup and make their mark on the continental stage.