Nigerian club Akwa United face a second humiliating CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round exit unless they score at least twice away to Banjul Hawks in the Gambia this week.

The west African teams meet Wednesday with the unfancied Hawks holding a shock 2-1 lead from the first leg in southern Nigerian city Uyo this month.

Muhammed Jallow and Lamin Charty gave the unfancied Gambians a two-goal half-time lead before Victor Mbaoma offered Akwa a glimmer of hope by halving the deficit.

A draw will suffice for the Hawks at home and even a 1-0 loss would take them through to the round of 32 on away goals.

“We learnt a very painful lesson at home,” admitted Akwa coach Abdu Maikaba. “Lots of mental strength will be needed in the Gambia to turn the tie around.

“I respect the Hawks as a very good side who play compact football and are quick to get behind the ball when dispossessed.”

Akwa were bundled out of the second-tier Confederation Cup — the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League — in the preliminary round two seasons ago.

After winning 1-0 away to Congo Brazzaville’s Vita Club Mokanda, they fell by a similar score at home and lost the penalty shootout.

Being felled by the Hawks would be an even greater embarrassment for Akwa as Nigeria are a top-10 African football nation while the Gambia are among the lowest ranked.

Hawks coach Ansumana Fatty is banking on another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Yankuba Colley, a star of the first-leg triumph.

“Akwa created many chances at home only to be defied by our brilliant goalkeeper. We have the overall advantage, but dare not assume the tie is over.”

Several CAF title winners are in danger of being eliminated with at least one guaranteed to fall by the wayside.

Former African champions CARA of Congo Brazzaville and Asante Kotoko of Ghana meet in central Africa after a bizarre first leg.

Kotoko missed three penalties and CARA one before Yakubu Mohammed converted the fifth spot-kick of the match in stoppage time to give Kotoko a 1-0 win.

Hafia of Guinea, who reached five African Cup of Champions Clubs finals in the 1970s and won three, trail Energie of Benin 1-0, but have home advantage.

Three-time CAF competition winners Africa Sports of the Ivory Coast are away to Nouadhibou of Mauritania having been held 1-1 in Abidjan.

AFP