Nations FC will be aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host Malian side FC Diarra in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Ghanaian debutants head into the decisive encounter needing a strong performance at home after suffering a narrow defeat in Bamako. A victory by at least two clear goals would see Nations FC progress to the next round of the competition.
FC Diarra secured the advantage in the first leg with the only goal of the game coming in the 55th minute. Nations FC were unable to find an equaliser despite their efforts, leaving the Ghanaian side with a difficult task in the return fixture.
Coach Zdravko Logarusic’s team will now be expected to make home advantage count. Having struggled to find the back of the net in the first meeting, Nations FC must be more clinical in the attacking areas if they are to turn the tie around.
The Abrankese-based club, who won the MTN FA Cup last season, will look to their attacking players and midfield creativity to unlock a disciplined FC Diarra defence. An early goal could also play a major role in settling the nerves and changing the momentum of the tie.
FC Diarra, meanwhile, can approach the match with confidence after taking a narrow lead into the second leg.
Nations FC will need to remain alert to the Malian side’s counter-attacking threat, with another goal for Diarra making the task considerably more difficult. The pressure will therefore be on the Ghanaian debutants to start strongly and produce the performance required to keep their continental journey alive.