CAF Confederation Cup: We will overturn the deficit against FC Diarra – Nations FC CEO Kennedy Ansah-Boakye

The MTN FA Cup holders suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to the Malian side at the Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako, leaving them with work to do ahead of the return leg in Accra.

Speaking to Asempa FM, Ansah-Boakye described the contest as a game of two contrasting halves and admitted his side failed to impose themselves early on.

“The match was a tale of two halves. We didn’t start well, but we needed to start slowly,” he said.

The Nations FC chief also highlighted concerns about the state of the artificial pitch, revealing that the surface was watered twice shortly before kick-off, which he felt affected playing conditions.

“The pitch was watered about 45 minutes before the game and 15 minutes before kick-off as well. There is heat there, and Astro Turf, when it’s not watered, the surface is hot, and when water is added, it is heated more, but I wouldn’t use that as an excuse; it is all part of the game,” he explained.

While insisting that the conditions should not be blamed for the defeat, Ansah-Boakye stressed that pitch preparation can have a significant influence on football matches.

“People don’t know this, but match outcomes are not only determined on the pitch. A lot of confrontations also need to be done because the groundsman also plays a key role in match outcomes,” he added.

Despite the setback, the Nations FC CEO remained optimistic about his team’s chances of overturning the deficit, pointing to missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome in Bamako.

“We created a lot of chances, especially two clear goal-scoring opportunities that, if taken, would have changed the nature of the game,” he said.

Ansah-Boakye also backed head coach Zdravko Logarušić to make the necessary tactical adjustments for the second leg after identifying both the strengths and weaknesses of the Malian outfit.

“I believe Coach Zdravko will have had a fair idea of FC Diarra’s weaknesses and also corrected the weaknesses shown by the team,” he added.

Nations FC will host FC Diarra in the decisive second leg at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 13 September, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 GMT. A victory would keep the Ghanaian side’s hopes of progressing in their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign alive.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet