Nations FC Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Boakye Ansah has declared that the FA Cup winners remain unfazed ahead of their inaugural continental campaign against Malian club FC Diarra in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
The Abrankese-based side was paired with FC Diarra in the opening round, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Bamako in September. Nations FC secured continental qualification by winning the MTN FA Cup, despite enduring relegation from the Ghana Premier League at the end of last season.
Their opponents, FC Diarra, finished fourth in the Malian Première Division and finished as runners-up in the Coupe du Mali.
Speaking to Luv FM following the draw, Kennedy expressed optimism about the fixture and noted that he has already begun assessing the Malian opposition.
“It’s going to be a very good experience in Africa, and Nations FC is quite a young club. Though the team has been there for a very long time ever since we took over under the good leadership of Dr. Kwame Kyei, we have made some gains.
“Unfortunately, there were some issues that came up, and that culminated in us getting relegated back to Division One. But just this morning, it was confirmed that we are going to play against another young team in Mali.
“I’ve done my own background checks on FC Diarra, and they came out of an academy. They play at Stade Mamadou Conaté in Bamako. I have personally been to Bamako on two occasions, so I know how things work out there.
“We are going to go out there, express ourselves, and make a bold statement for ourselves as well. No, we are never scared. We just have to play very well, so we’re never shaking at all,” he stated.
Should Nations FC advance past the preliminary round, they will face the winner of the tie between Niger’s AS Zam and Burkina Faso’s ASKO de Kara in the second preliminary round.
“Let’s take it one game at a time. For now, focus is on the first leg.But we will take it one game at a time,” Kennedy added.