CAFCL Draws:It’s a tough group but not impossible – Coach Mutapa

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By Eagle Eye Sports24

Power Dynamos of Zambia were on Monday drawn in Group A of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage alongside defending Champions Pyramids FC, Nigerian side Rivers United, and RS Berkane of Morocco.

Rivers United have made three previous Champions League appearances in 2017, 2022, and 2022/23 and only reached the second round twice.

RS Berkane boast a rich continental record, with 3 CAF Confederation Cup titles from 9 tournament appearances, plus 1 CAF Super Cup title.

Pyramids FC enter this group stage as the reigning CAF Champions League champions.

For Power Dynamos, this marks their 5th appearance in CAF champions league competition having previously featured in 1998, 2001, 2012, and 2023/24 and their first time ever qualifying for the group stage. They have reached the second round three times in their history.

Coach Oswald Mutapa knows how tricky the group is but feels his side can do well with proper preparations.

“Not an easy group. A group of big boys but we are also big boys because we are in this group. Yes, historically we’ve struggled against North African sides, but football is about planning, seeing their strengths and their weaknesses,” Mutapa said.

“We are here because we deserve to be here. It’s a tough group but not impossible. We have the players. Our benchmark has shifted — we are now talking about reaching the quarter-finals,” he added.

Mutapa believes he has a team with a winning mentality and it could come in handy at this stage of the competition.

“Strengthening the squad isn’t possible right now. We have to wait until January, so we won’t talk about signings at the moment,” he said.

“This is a different season, a different period. We have different human resources now — players with a mentality of wanting to win.”

Power Dynamos will now have to juggle between games in the MTN Super League and those in the CAF Champions League but Mutapa feels rotation of players will help manage the load.

“The first two games in November might be difficult because we have four domestic matches before CAF every three days but we will manage with rotation,” he said.

“This is a team that creates a lot of chances both in the league and the games against ASEC and Vipers. It’s just a matter of time. We have players who can score.”

Power Dynamos will open their CAF Champions League Group A campaign away to RS Berkane on 21 November 2025, before hosting Pyramids FC on 28 November.

The competition then resumes in January 2026, with Power Dynamos at home to Rivers United on 23 January, followed by the return fixture away to Rivers on 30 January. On 6 February, Power will host RS Berkane in Ndola at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, before closing their group stage journey away to Pyramids FC on 13 February 2026.