Maqonda Ndlovu
African Stars head coach Prince-George Kofi says the club played an exciting match against Power Dynamos who came with a well-planned strategy.
Speaking to New Era Sport after his club kicked off their 2023 African Champions League (ACL) safari with a slender 2-1 victory over Zambian Champions Power Dynamos at the Dobsonville Stadium, South of Johannesburg on Saturday, Kofi said Dynamos wanted to play on the break as evidenced by having a low defensive lock and defensive chief lock midfielder.
“They did not have much possession and they played direct rapid attack. This made it difficult for us, as we are a possession based team. We spoke to our boys to keep possession and apply our wing play and we scored our goals from the flanks,” he said.
He added that Stars did well, but rued the loss of concentration towards the end of the half, which saw Stars concede a goal.
He added that they will work on making sure the team keeps their concentration levels high.
“We are not going to be under pressure in Zambia because they lost to us so their fans will keep pressure on them to win and that may lead them to making mistakes. Our plan is to punish them,” he said.
Stars scored first through their new signing from Ghana, striker Peter Adiwo who powered his header past Lawrence Mulenga, in goal for Dynamos in the 32nd minute.
However, Dynamos scored an all-important away goal through Zambian Super League 2022/2023 top goal scorer Andy Boyeli in injury time of the first half to leave the two teams tied at one-all at halftime.
Stars regained the lead in the 62nd minute when former Brave Warriors utility player Edmund Kambanda scored a header to lead ‘Starlile’ to victory in the first leg preliminary round of this seasons ACL
Dynamos will host Stars at Arthur Davies Stadium next weekend in the return leg with the winner of the two legs set to play in East Africa in a showdown against Simba SC of Tanzania.
Boyeli’s consolation will give the Zambians a fighting chance when they host Stars in the return leg next weekend.