Sunshine faces uphill task in Cairo

If they are to progress to the finals of the lucrative competition, Sunshine Stars must surprise their host by recording either a win or superior draw. However, reports emanating from the club’s camp are not the type that can inspire confidence. Apart from injury worries, the club is bedeviled by internal crisis over payment of […]

If they are to progress to the finals of the lucrative competition, Sunshine Stars must surprise their host by recording either a win or superior draw. However, reports emanating from the club’s camp are not the type that can inspire confidence. Apart from injury worries, the club is bedeviled by internal crisis over payment of player’s entitlements. Although the club’s management has said the acrimony is a thing of the past, analysts are of the opinion that this is not good for team spirit.

Despite the obvious lapses, the Stars have expressed confidence they will qualify for the final of the CAF Champions League despite letting in three goals at home against record winners Al Ahly.

The winner of tomorrow’s decisive encounter will go on to face either TP Mazembe or defending champions, Esperance of Tunisia.

It will be recalled that in the first leg a fortnight ago, Sunshine forced injury-hit Ahly to a 3-3 draw in Ijebu-Ode and would need to win to have a realistic chance of progressing in this competition.

As gloomy as it may appear, top Sunshine official Mike Idoko assured the players are fitter for this game than they were in the home game after the team embarked on a pay strike 10 days prior to that encounter.

“The players trained for only four days before the first leg and that affected their fitness, but they are fitter now and good to go having been training for almost two weeks now,” said Idoko.

“We have looked at the video of the first game over and over again, we have been able to note some things and have made adjustments ahead of the game in Cairo. We want to go to Cairo to shock Al Ahly.”

Sunshine striker Dele Olorundare, who scored one of his team’s goals in Ijebu-Ode, re-echoed the team’s bullish mood going into the showdown in Cairo.

“We are all optimistic and positive about the match. We have been training very hard for the game and we believe God will crown our efforts with victory,” said Olorundare, who has scored four goals in the competition.

“Our away record against North African teams puts us at advantage and I see us beating Ahly in Cairo.”

The Akure club have lost a game from three played against North Africa teams so far at the group stage of the Champions League – they beat ASO Chlef 2-1 in Algeria, drew 0-0 with Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia with their only loss being to Esperance in Tunis courtesy of an own goal.

They welcome back their inspirational captain Godfrey Oboabona after he was suspended for the first game. However, top choice goalkeeper Moses Ocheje will only be on bench after he failed to regain full fitness following illness.

Speaking to Shot! on phone, the former junior international said he has been passing words of encouragement to his assistant, Henry Ayodele  who is going to take his place between the sticks tomorrow.

He said the goalkeeper had proved to be a capable assistant in the past and would not let down the club now that he is being called upon to serve again.

Ocheje said it is very unfortunate that he cannot play but he is going to be in Cairo to give moral support to the team.

According him, seeing him around alone would be a source of inspiration to the players especially the goalkeeper.

His words: “It is true I am just recovering from an illness that has sidelined me for several days. However, I thank God that I am on my feet again. The truth is that I am not yet fit to play but I am going to be in Cairo to give moral support to the team especially the goalkeeper, Henry.

“I have been talking to him. He has just left my place. I have told him that he should look at the match as any other game. I told him to relax and do his best for the club.

“On several occasions in the past, he was given a chance and he did not disappoint so I believe that this time he will still do his best. I will be communicating with him as the match progresses and I think he will do it”.

Ocheje said Nigerians should not give up on Sunshine Stars as he said his club has what it takes to upturn the first leg result and go on to qualify for the finals.

“It is true we drew 3-3 in the first leg but that is not to say we cannot upturn that result and even beat Al Ahly in Cairo. We are used to playing against North Africans and we know what they are capable of doing.

“Al Ahly will face us without their vociferous fans and this is to our advantage. It is a sort of level playing ground. Moreover, we have watched the type of the first game over and over and have learnt our mistakes”.

It was such confidence that Sunshine delegation departed the shores of the country to Cairo where they face an uphill task tomorrow against Al Ahly which is already one leg into the finals of this year’s CAF Champions League.