Ghana FA Cup champions Nations FC have been handed a difficult start to their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign, going down 1-0 to FC Diarra of Ma
Ghana FA Cup champions Nations FC have been handed a difficult start to their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign, going down 1-0 to FC Diarra of Mali in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie at the Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako on Saturday.
The Abrankese-based side held their own for large stretches of a tight opening period, keeping the hosts at bay as neither team carved out clear-cut chances.
The game remained goalless at the break, but FC Diarra found the breakthrough shortly after the restart in the 48th minute when Drissa Bagayoko’s header from a set piece handed the Malian side the advantage.
Nations FC responded by committing more players forward in search of an equaliser, but could not find a way past a resolute FC Diarra defence, and the hosts held on to claim the narrow win.
The result leaves Nations FC with work to do in the return leg, which will be played in Kumasi on Sunday, September 13. A one-goal victory on home soil would send the tie to extra time, while a win by two or more goals would carry the Ghanaian side through to the second preliminary round.
Speaking after the game, defender Dennis Korsah struck a confident tone, thanking the Ghanaian community in Mali and embassy officials for their support and promising the team would fight to overturn the deficit back home.
Nations FC qualified for the competition after winning the 2025/26 MTN FA Cup, defeating Dreams FC in the final.
Nations FC line-up
Starting XI
- 18 Arnold Loba (GK)
- 29 Emmanuel Boahene (C)
- 6 Victor Wanyama
- 7 Emmanuel Issaka
- 17 Richard Acquaah
- 19 Julien Dipanda
- 20 Abdela Mashud
- 21 Ouedraogo Fatahou
- 22 Joseph Effah
- 27 Dennis Korsah
- 28 Evans Sarfo
Substitutes
- 12 Hadina Bariu (GK)
- 5 Sherif Nyanyo
- 8 Mohammed Amin
- 9 Victor Quashie
- 10 Richard Danso
- 11 Ishmael Dede
- 15 Frederick Nzoley
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