Nations FC coach Zdravko Logarušić has admitted that his side need time to settle following their early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup, insisting he cannot perform miracles with a squad that has undergone significant changes.
Nations FC were eliminated from the competition after drawing 1-1 with FC Diarra in the second leg of their preliminary-round tie at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The result meant the Ghanaian side exited 2-1 on aggregate after losing the first leg in Bamako.
Nations dominated possession for long periods of the second leg and created opportunities to overturn the deficit, but they were unable to find the goals needed to progress.
Logarušić believes the team's lack of cohesion is understandable given the changes to his squad and the absence of several key players.
“I’m not a magician, I’m just a coach,” Logarušić said after the game.
The Croatian coach explained that Nations had lost several players while also bringing in new signings in a short period, making it difficult to establish a settled team.
“In a very short time, lots of players left the club, lots of players came, but now our five players, who should be our top signings, they couldn't play this game,” he said.
The absence of those players forced Logarušić to use players outside their preferred positions.
“Then we start to make, for example, Dennis Korsah, the left fullback must play centre defender, then this one must play there, there, there,” he added.
The coach admitted that the situation left his team looking disorganised but believes the squad can improve with more time together.
“We are a bit disorganised, but anyway. Ingredients: what we have on the table we have to make a nice cake with the cream,” Logarušić said.
“Today no cream, we made cake but no cream. Let’s hope next time we gonna make it with the cream.”
Nations FC's continental campaign therefore ended at the preliminary-round stage, despite their strong spells in the second leg.
The elimination is a setback for the MTN FA Cup holders, who were making their first appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Nations will now have to shift their attention back to domestic competition, with Logarušić expected to continue working on integrating his new players and finding a more settled tactical structure.
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