By Omar Jatta
The Gambia’s 2017 league cup winners, Hawks FC stand on the brink of rewriting history, in their quest to see off current Nigerian Premier league leaders, Akwa United in the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup preliminary qualifiers at the Independence stadium in Bakau this afternoon.
Ansu Fatty’s side have all to play for to ensure they build on their fantastic result in the 2-1 away victory in Uyo, Akwa State, which has handed them a huge advantage going into this second leg tie and if they can replicate the ruthlessness demonstrated in Nigeria, they will stand a huge chance of going into the last 32 knock out stages. However their task wont be any easy as the Promise Keepers have promised a different outcome, with their coach Abdu Maikaba adamant his side will do all they can to overturn the 2 goal deficit from the first leg, citing his players’ commitment and dedication to bring success to the oil-rich Akwa based club as his drive.
“I have been in football for many years and in all those years, I have worked with different sets of players under different managements, but there is something special about Akwa United,” Mr Maikaba told the club’s website.
“Everyone is fully committed and dedicated towards the success of the team at all times.
“We were surprised with the result in Uyo, but we know that no two matches are the same. The game will be decided after the second leg on Wednesday, so the tie is still alive and we have 90 minutes to decide our fate.
“We all know the importance of this match, we have been well motivated and the fans back home have given us their support and they are also expecting something from us, so we have to reciprocate by redeeming ourselves and giving them what they deserve, added the former Wikki Tourists coach.
Akwa United arrived in Banjul The visiting team have arrived in The Gambia since on Monday, where they were welcomed by the Nigerian Ambassador to The Gambia Oluwasegun Ibidapo-Obe after he visited their camp at the Seaview Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
Hawks defied all odds in the first leg in Nigeria after putting up a real gutsy performance at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday the 11th February, where they kicked of their campaign in style, with goals from Muhammed Jallow and Lamin Chatty securing the priceless victory and they will now hope the home support will edge them on to do the unexpected by securing another resounding victory or at best a draw.
The match will kick off at the Independence Stadium in Bakau this evening, Wednesday,21 February, at 6pm local time, 7pm Nigerian time.
