8th October, 2012
Contrary to the views of some football pundits that Nigeria’s representatives in the ongoing CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars of Akure should forget about qualification for the final of the competition, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, candidate for 20 October Governorship election in Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, Rotimi Akeredolu, believes the Ondo State government-owned clubside still have a chance to progress to their first berth in the final of the African clubs championship.
The former Nigerian Bar Association President disclosed this on Saturday after the Gbenga Ogunbote- tutored Sunshine Stars were held to a 3-3 draw by Egyptian giants, Al Ahly at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The draw means that the Nigerian side would have to secure a victory or a better score draw when they travel to Cairo in a forthnight to confront Ahly in the second leg of the semi final match scheduled to be played behind closed doors due to the Egyptian crowd trouble earlier in the season.
Akeredolu said: “Playing a 3-3 draw against Al Ahly is not a bad result for us. I know a lot of people believe it would be tough for us to beat the Egyptians in Cairo, but I can assure you that it is not yet over for Sunshine. If Al Ahly can come here and score three goals, I see no reason for us not to be able to go out there and record a victory, especially when the match would be played behind closed doors.”
—Bamidele Olowosagba/Who Was In Ijebu-Ode