Nigeria’s AITEO Cup winners Akwa United will on Wednesday attempt to overcome a 1-2 deficit from home soil when they face Gambian Cup champions Banjul Hawks in their Confederation Cup preliminary round clash in Bakau.
The Nigerians were stunned ten days ago when the modest Hawks raced to a 2-0 first half lead in the first leg game in Uyo before the hosts halved the deficit in the second.
United’s ever-present midfielder Kelly Kester is not giving up hopes and insists his side are focused on a turnaround in Wednesday’s game.
“We are fully prepared. The expectation is simple; qualification,” Kester told www.aclsports.com from Banjul.
“Like we saw in Uyo, they are solid defensively but we are ready to use every quality in our team to break them,” he added.
Kester who has experienced losing at home on the continent with Enyimba previously in 2016’s Champions League believes it is not impossible for his side to progress at the expense of the Hawks in spite of their disadvantaged position.
“Yes it’s very possible!” he said.
“We have enough quality in the team to turn the tie around in our favour and we will be approaching the game with all sense of diligence and determination.”
Wednesday’s game billed for the Independence Stadium will start at 6pm local time, 7pm in Nigeria.