Power Dynamos and Rivers United picked up their first points of the CAF Champions’ League group stage after playing out a 0-0 draw in Ndola on Saturday, a result that leaves both sides still anchored to the bottom of Group A at the halfway stage of the competition.

The stalemate at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium came with both teams under pressure, having lost their opening two matches and in urgent need of a positive result to revive their campaigns.

Despite that urgency, clear chances were at a premium in a contest shaped more by caution than attacking fluency. Spurred on by home support, Power Dynamos showed greater intent in the early exchanges, attempting to stretch their visitors with quick transitions and balls into the channels.

Rivers United, however, remained compact and disciplined, frustrating the hosts and slowing the tempo whenever pressure mounted. The Nigerian side gradually grew into the game and enjoyed spells of possession as the first half progressed, but their build-up play lacked the decisive final pass.

Both goalkeepers were largely untroubled before the break, with speculative efforts from distance either blocked or drifting wide.

The pattern of play continued after half-time, with Power Dynamos pushing forward in search of a vital breakthrough while Rivers United looked to exploit spaces on the counter-attack. Clear-cut chances remained elusive, and as the match entered its closing stages, the emphasis appeared to shift towards avoiding another damaging defeat.

The final whistle confirmed a point apiece, leaving both clubs on one point from three matches. While qualification hopes are fading, they are not yet entirely extinguished.

At the top of Group A, attention turns to a crucial clash later in the matchday, with Moroccan side RS Berkane set to host Egyptian champions Pyramids FC. Both teams are locked on six points, and the outcome of that encounter could prove decisive in shaping the race for the quarter-finals

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By Kunle Solaja.

Zambia’s Power Dynamos and Nigeria’s Rivers United square off in a crucial CAF Champions League encounter that could shape the direction of their continental campaigns, with both sides seeking to recover from their earlier two losses as the group phase gathers intensity.

On matchday 1, Nigeria’s Rivers United lost 3-0 away to Egypt’s Pyramids and followed with a 2-1 home loss to Morocco’s RS Berkane. Zambia’s Power Dynamos have also had a poor head start in the six-match campaign.

Like Rivers United, they lost their opening match 3-0, this time to Morocco’s RS Berkane and followed with a 1-0 home loss to champions, Pyramids of Egypt.

In essence, when both Power Dynamos and Rivers United clash this Saturday, each of the two teams will be seeking their first point in the league series.

For the Zambians, the Power Dynamos return to familiar territory with confidence drawn from their strong home pedigree that was breached by Egypt’s Pyramids.

Traditionally difficult to break down on Zambian soil, the Kitwe-based side relies on tactical discipline, physical strength and quick transitions to unsettle visiting teams. Their home crowd is expected to play a key role as they look to turn territorial advantage into valuable points.

Rivers United, meanwhile, arrive with continental experience and a growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most organised club sides. Known for their compact defensive structure and pace on the counter, the Port Harcourt outfit will be aiming to manage the game intelligently, aware that even a point away from home could prove decisive in a tightly contested group.

The Nigerian champions will look to their attacking outlets and midfield control to neutralise Power Dynamos’ physical approach, while remaining wary of set-piece situations and second-ball duels, areas where the hosts are particularly dangerous.

With qualification stakes rising and little separating the two teams on paper, the match promises a tactical contest marked by caution, intensity and moments of attacking ambition. For both Power Dynamos and Rivers United, the outcome could be pivotal in determining who stays firmly in the hunt for progression in the CAF Champions League.

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Al Ahly climbed to the summit of CAF Champions’ League Group B after Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory over Tanzania’s Young Africans in Alexandria on Friday night.

The Egyptian giants made their decisive moments count at the Borg El Arab Stadium, with Trezeguet’s goals either side of half-time extending Al Ahly’s unbeaten run in the group stage and moving them clear at the top of the standings.

Despite the outcome, it was Young Africans who began the contest on the front foot. The Tanzanian side showed no sign of being overawed by the occasion, troubling Al Ahly early through Allan Onkell and a series of swift counter-attacks.

Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was called into action inside the opening 15 minutes, producing a sharp save before Yasser Ibrahim cleared the danger as the visitors threatened to take control.

While Al Ahly enjoyed the bulk of possession, clear chances were scarce until stoppage time at the end of the first half. Their first real opening proved decisive.

Mohamed Hany swung in an inviting cross from the right and Trezeguet rose above his marker to guide a header into the net, the ball slipping under the Young Africans goalkeeper’s hand to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Young Africans continued to press after the restart and went close again when a low drive nearly caught Shobeir out, but the Al Ahly keeper reacted smartly to preserve the advantage.

As the second half wore on, Al Ahly asserted greater control and sealed the result in the 75th minute. Trezeguet collected the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot and fired a powerful finish into the net to complete his brace and underline his growing influence in the competition.

Young Africans almost pulled one back late on, only for Shobeir to produce another fine save, while Al Ahly passed up opportunities to add a third goal in the closing stages.

The victory lifts Al Ahly to seven points from three matches, placing them top of Group B, while Young Africans remain second on four points as the group edges towards its decisive phase.

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