Akwa United coach Abdu Maikaba says he has ‘formulated a strategy’ that will enable his side get ‘a decent result’ when they face Al-Ittihad of Libya in the first leg, first round tie of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup in Sfax, Tunisia on Wednesday.

The ‘Promise keepers’ set up a mouth-watering tie with the Libyan side after overcoming Banjul Hawks of Gambia 3-2 on aggregate despite losing the first leg 2-1 at home in Uyo.

Speaking before the team’s departure from Nigeria on Monday, the former Wikki Tourists coach disclosed that he has been monitoring their opponents who eliminated Sahel of Niger in the previous round of the competition.

“Actually, we have finished our plans for the first leg which will be played in Tunisia,” Maikaba said. “And I have an idea about our opponents,

“I have seen their first and second leg matches against the Niger side (Sahel). They are a very good side, but we have formulated a strategy to make sure we get a decent result in Tunisia.”

Ahead of the match, Maikaba is optimistic the Aiteo Cup holders can defeat the Libyans if his players can replicate the performance that saw them beat Banjul Hawks 2-0 away from home.

“I have the belief that we can beat any side that will come our way in this competition; it depends on the reaction of the players,” the soft-spoken tactician said.

“If we play the way we played against the Gambians, I believe I will get a good result.”

On the availability of players for the match, Maikaba disclosed that midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi is still out with an injury he picked up during the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco while on international duty with Nigeria.

“For now, only Ifeanyi Ifeanyi is injured. He came from CHAN with the injury, and up till now, he has not started training,” he disclosed.

The match comes up by 5pm local time (which is also 5pm in Nigeria).