Akwa United got their CAF Confederation Cup campaign underway on the wrong foot after losing 1-2 at home to visiting Hawks FC of Gambia at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The game started on a promising note for the Nigerians but it was the visitors who took the lead 15 minute into the encounter thanks to a blunder by Akwa United goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.
Ojo punched a harmless free kick unto the path of Mohammed Jallow who tapped home from what was the first shot on target by the visitors, and it got better for them four minutes after the half hour mark.
The visitors made their host pay for a miss by Ubong Friday shortly after they have taken the lead, with Lamin Charity profiting from yet again another poor decision by Ojo to put the Gambians two goals up.
Charity took advantage of the poor position of the former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper with a fantastic lob to put his team two goals up. A lead which they protected up to the half time break.
Fifteen minutes to full time, Victor Mboama scored from close range to hand the Aiteo Federation Cup winners a life line, but tried as they could Hawks FC hanged on to claim a memorable 2-1 win ahead of the return leg in two weeks time in Gambia.
Ade Emmanuel
