Phiri: Lusaka Dynamos Will Finish In Top Four, Play CAF Champions League

LUSAKA Dynamos manager Patrick Phiri says his team is still on course in achieving its target of finishing in the top four despite a poor start.

The expensively assembled ‘Elite’ Dynamos are still chasing a win this season and are in 16th position with three points from a possible 12.
Dynamos have drawn three and lost 1-0 to Forest Rangers in Ndola on Monday.

Phiri said in an interview that the technical bench is still trying to find a balance in the team. Dynamos recruited several foreign players during the off-season.

“In the game against Forest we started well but we lost the structure 20 minutes in the first half and Forest took advantage and scored the winning goal. We played well but their goalkeeper was very good.

“Our objectives are intact, we are still hopeful [finishing top four].We are building up slowly and trying to make the team gel once we find that balance we are bound to do very well this season,” Phiri said.

Forest coach Perry Mutapa said the win was a morale booster.
Mutapa also rued the departure of striker Felix Nyaende to Zanaco.

“It was a good game, we created a lot of chances and the boys had a good day. This is very good for their confidence, it is sad that we have lost our topman [Nyaende]. During pre-season, we planned the team around him and he left us just at the start of the season but this is football,” he said.

Forest earned maximum points from a penalty converted by Logic Ching’andu. Forest are fourth on the log with seven points at par with Green Eagles and Zanaco but the latter have a better goal aggregate.
Buildcon coach Hicham Jadrane described his side’s 1-1 draw with Power Dynamos as satisfying.

“We are close to winning our first game, it is just a matter of time. Power is not an easy team,” Jadrane said.

Power coach Dan Kabwe attributed the draw to lapse in concentration in defence.