Nations FC CEO, Kennedy Boakye Ansah has expressed confidence ahead of the club's maiden African campaign, insisting the FA Cup winners are unfazed by their preliminary-round draw against Mali's FC Diarra.

The Abrankese-based club has been paired with FC Diarra of Mali in the opening round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, with the first leg set to be played in Bamako in September.

Nations FC will head into the continental competition after securing qualification by winning the MTN FA Cup, despite suffering relegation from the Ghana Premier League at the end of last season.

Their opponents, FC Diarra, are also a rising force in Malian football, having emerged from a successful academy system and earned a place on the continental stage.

The Bamako based club placed fourth in the Malian Première Division and were runners in the Coupe du Mali against league champions Djoliba who took the CAF Champions League spot.

Reacting to the draw, Kennedy told Luv FM that Nations FC are embracing the challenge and are determined to make a strong impression despite facing a relatively unknown but ambitious opponent.

"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.

Nations FC, should they progress, 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.