By Ime Bassey
Nigeria’s flag bearers in the 2012 CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars of Akure were drawn over the week in Group A of the tournament alongside three north African teams but their coach, Gbenga Ogunbote believes all the teams in the group have equal chances of qualifying. Coach Ogunbote said that the two Tunisian giants (Esperance and Etoile du Sahel) and AS Chlef of Algeria will aid his team to  rise to the occasion.

“I want Nigerians to know that all the teams at this stage of the competition are tough because to get to this stage, you must be a good team. We respect every team in the group as we all have equal chances of qualifying and also losing at this point.

“I know we are playing in the tournament for the first time even as nobody gave us a chance of reaching this level but we will rise to the occasion. More so, it is a call to challenge on our part not to put the integrity of the club and Nation into jeopardy,”he said at the weekend.

Ogunbote noted that the lackluster display of the team in their last game against Djoliba of Mali wasn’t a true reflection of the team’s style of play.

“We have a culture at Sunshine Stars and that is beautiful football. We will not go back on that and we will continue to bring it to the pitch of play. It is until we win a game with enterprising football that we will feel okay, so Nigerians should expect better football from us at this stage,” he assured.