The Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko, has said that Sunshine Stars are happy to face Al-Ahly in the semi final of the CAF Champions League.
Idoko said that the dark horse status of the Nigerian flag bearers would only help to lessen the expectations and burdens on the team ahead of the match.
Idoko affirmed that Sunshine has a complete dossier of their opponents and this would be unleashed on Al-Ahly when they visit Nigeria for the first leg on October 7, 2012.
Idoko said: “We are happy at the choice of Al-Ahly and they are a side we know too well, having studied them.
“We are not losing sleep over their choice and the fact that we are the underdogs of the two teams will only motivate us to do everything in our reach to counter and neutralise their potency when we meet them at Ijebu Ode before the second leg fixture in Cairo.
“We cannot be afraid of Ahly because my team has greatly improved since we lost our first game against Esperance.
“We know what is expected of us and that we are going to do on that day.
“Yes Ahly is a strong side, but Sunshine Stars is on a high this season and we will take our form to the semi finals and hope for the best in the two legs.”
Sunshine came second in Group A behind Esperance of Tunisia with 6 points from a possible 12 while the Tunisian side claimed top spot with three more points than the Nigerians.
The Akure Gunners’ foes came top in the other Group with 11 points while TP Mazembe are second with a point less.
The first leg of the semi final fixtures hold in the weekend of October 5 to 7, 2012 while the second leg ties are fixed for a fortnight later.