The Ghanaian FA Cup champions lost 1-0 to FC Diarra in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie at the Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako on Saturday, September 6, 2026.
After a balanced first half where Nations missed a good chance to take the lead, the hosts came out stronger after the break. Malian striker Drissa Bagayoko broke the deadlock in the 49th minute to give Diarra the advantage.
Nations pushed for an equaliser but failed to break down Diarra’s defence, who held on for the win.
The result means Nations must overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg. The return fixture will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 13, 2026, where Nations will need at least two unanswered goals to progress to the next round.
Despite the defeat, CEO Kennedy Boakye Ansah had earlier said the club was not intimidated by the tie, having visited Bamako twice before the game.
If Nations eliminate FC Diarra, they will face the winner of AS FAN (Niger) or ASKO de Kara (Togo) in the second preliminary round.
