NOT ready to gamble with its chances of making the semi-final of this year's CAF Champions League, the management of Sunshine Stars is planning to storm Algeria with a large delegation for the tie against the country's ASO Chlef.Though the match is billed for next Sunday, the Nigerian flag bearers are planning to depart for the North African country next Wednesday in order to acclimatize well ahead of the crucial match.Sunshine beat the Algerian side 2-0 last weekend at the Ijebu-Ode Stadium to increase its chances of making it to the semi-final after Esperance got a 1-0 home victory over compatriot Etoile du Sahel the same day. That victory for the defending champion, Esperance, gave the Nigeria side an advantage for the semis.Wile Esperance is on top with nine points from three games, Sunshine is second with four points and Etoile third in the pool. Etoile, also has four points from three games, is behind the Nigerian side on goal difference.Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, the Director of Administration, Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko, said the club would not leave any stone unturned in its determination to win the game against ASO Chlef next weekend, because, 'we have the chance to make history and we will make good use of it.'For many supporters of Sunshine Stars, the victory in Ijebu-Ode last Sunday was enough to weight the players down since it was their third defeat in the group stage of the competition.To them, the Akure side also stands a better chance of making it to the semis than its Tunisian challenger, Etoile du Sahel, which forced Sunshine to a 0-0 draw at home last month. Etoile has a date with Sunshine in Nigeria in their return leg later in the race.Idoko hinted yesterday that the club was enjoying the financial support of Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko: 'The governor has done so much for the club and we have vowed to pay back by winning the trophy,' he disclosed.'We will liaise with our embassy in Algeria to assist us with local food and other support we will need over there. I have the belief that Sunshine will get a favourable result in Algeria.
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