Power Dynamos head coach Osward Mutapa has moved to clear the air over Moses Shumah’s role at the club, explaining why the Kenyan striker has not been a regular starter despite leading the team in goals this season.
Shumah arrived in Zambia at the beginning of the campaign from SportPesa League side Kakamega Homeboyz after enjoying a breakthrough season in Kenya.
The Harambee Stars forward finished the 2024 season as the league’s top scorer with 17 goals, a return that earned him a move to one of Zambia’s most decorated clubs.
ALSO READ: Moses Shumah scores as Power Dynamos edge Vipers in CAF Champions League
His transition to life at Power Dynamos has been impressive on paper, with the striker already scoring nine goals in all competitions.
Three of those goals have come in the CAF Champions League, underlining his ability to perform on the continental stage.
However, despite his goal-scoring exploits, Shumah has largely been used as a substitute, especially in the Champions League, where he has started only one of the club’s three group-stage matches so far.
The debate around his limited starts intensified over the weekend when Shumah was once again named on the bench for Power Dynamos’ crucial group match against Nigeria’s Rivers United.
ALSO READ: Harambee Stars striker Moses Shumah shines in Zambia as Power Dynamos edge Zesco United
Many supporters were surprised by the decision, given the striker’s form in front of goal.
When he was introduced later in the match, Shumah brought energy and urgency to Power’s attack, forcing the Rivers United goalkeeper into action with three shots on target.
Despite his lively cameo, the match ended in a goalless draw; a result that dealt a blow to Power Dynamos’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League.
The Zambian champions now face a difficult task as they prepare to travel to Nigeria midweek in search of their first win in the group.
Mutapa explains why Moses Shumah remains on the bench
Speaking after the match, Mutapa explained that his selection decisions are based on more than just goals, suggesting that the demands of his system require specific qualities from his forwards.
The Power Dynamos coach pointed to work rate and aggression as key areas he expects from a striker, particularly when playing with a lone forward.
“Yes, he is leading the pack in terms of goal scoring but we need players that would want to chase. You know, [playing] a lone striker, we would want him to chase every ball and if he is not ready to do that, then we have to do something else,” Mutapa said.
The coach’s comments suggest that while Shumah’s finishing ability is highly valued, his off-the-ball contribution remains an important factor in determining his place in the starting lineup.
With Power Dynamos still fighting on multiple fronts, the Kenyan striker will be hoping to match his goals with the work rate demanded by his coach and force his way into a more consistent starting role as the season progresses.