Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Sunshine Stars have advanced to the semifinal of the CAF Champions League following the disqualification of Tunisian club, Etoile du Sahel. Etoile was thrown out of the tournament as a result of crowd trouble when the Sousse club faced another Tunisian side, Esperance on Matchday 2.
The development saw Sunshine Stars automatically progress to the last four of Africa’s premier club competition and the Stars’ coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has now voiced his emotions following the news. “I’d be lying if I said I’m not elated at the news. I’m very happy but we were still on course for qualification even before they were disqualified so this is just a bonus,” he told supersport.com.
Sunshine Stars will now prepare to face either Al Ahly or TP Mazembe who look the most likely sides to progress from Group B of the competition but Ogunbote is not looking too far ahead. “We will take it one step at a time. The next game is against Esperance in Tunis and we will play with pride and integrity. We are not thinking of which team we will meet in the semifinal but if I am to choose, I will pray that God gives us a team that we can overcome and qualify for the final,” he said. Sunshine Stars have remained unbeaten in the competition after their 0-2 home loss to Esperance on Matchday 1.
?