A shocking 2-1 defeat to lowly Gambian side, Hawks may have put the progress of Akwa United in jeopardy, but Coach Abdul Maikaba remains positive his team can turn the result around in the second leg.

Akwa United, who were 2017 Aiteo Cup winners, trailed by 2-0 in the first half before Victor Mbaoma reduced the deficit with 15 minutes left to play.

Sunday’s first-leg result is not how the promised keepers hoped to kick start what is only their second CAF Confederation Cup, but Maikaba told journalists after the match that, “it is not over for his side.”

‘The defeat is a big lesson for us moving forward. We will do everything possible to reverse the result when we travel for the second leg.’

Hawks will host Akwa United in the return-leg on 21 February.