Al Merrikh coach hails Chipolopolo’s Chisala

Al Merrikh coach Darko Novic has heaped praise on Chipolopolo midfielder Obinos Chisala after the Sudanese side eliminated Power Dynamos from the CAF Champions League at the preliminary stage. Al Merrikh beat Power 1-0 in Ndola on Saturday to complete a 2-0 aggregate win and…

Al Merrikh coach Darko Novic has heaped praise on Chipolopolo midfielder Obinos Chisala after the Sudanese side eliminated Power Dynamos from the CAF Champions League at the preliminary stage.

Al Merrikh beat Power 1-0 in Ndola on Saturday to complete a 2-0 aggregate win and advance to the second preliminary round. Chisala started both legs.

Speaking at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Novic described the former Zanaco man as a key part of his team.

“Obino is one of my favorite players and one of the important players in our squad,” Novic said.

“From last year when I came to Al Merrikh I have been putting him in 100 percent. I use him any time and I also use him on the right back when I’m in problems,” he added.

Chisala joined Al Merrikh in January 2025 from Moçambola club Costa do Sol. The coach says the Zambian’s versatility has been vital.

Novic wants more goals from the midfielder.

“His technical aspect is very perfect. The only thing he is missing is scoring goals from that position,” the Serbian tactician said.

Chisala is part of the Chipolopolo squad for this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo. He also featured for Zambia at the AFCON in Morocco earlier this year.

The Al Merrikh coach also pointed to Power’s main problem.

“Power Dynamos didn’t score and that is one of their problems. Last season if you count their goals in the Champions League, it was three or four in the group stage,” Novic told reporters.