CHIEF coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Gbenga Ogunbote has urged Nigerians to keep faith in the team as far as winning the CAF Confederation Cup is concerned.Despite losing the first leg semi-final match 0-1 to Club Africain of Tunisia in Ijebu-Ode, the Sunshine Stars gaffer assured that the result would be positive in Tunisia in two weeks' time."First of all, I want to apologise to Nigerians for that result, it was quite unfortunate and painful that we lost a match we did not deserve to lose. They did not labour for the goal they scored, they were just lucky."We lacked the element of luck needed in Saturday's match and having seen the Tunisians, I don't see them standing between us and our target which is to win the cup in order to reciprocate the gesture of the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and all Nigerians."Ogunbote added that "We have seen them (Club Africain) now, we now know their character and the players have also agreed to go into the second leg with a positive mindset."I told them after the match that it is not a crime to fall but it becomes a crime when you fall and refuse to rise.'Meanwhile,DESPITE losing at home in the first leg semi final of the CAF Confederation Cup, the Executive Director of Ondo State Football Development Agency (OSFA), Mike Idoko, has assured Nigerians that Sunshine Stars will still qualify for the final.Speaking against the pessimism that Sunshine Stars would not be able to upturn the table having lost at home, Idoko said nothing is impossible for God to do.'I agree that we have a very difficult situation on our hands but there is no challenge that is beyond God. It was God that did it for us while I was with Lobi Stars against Petro Atletico. After we drew in Makurdi, people wrote us off but God gave us the strength and we beat them in Angola.'We have studied the match and the lapses are being noticed. By the time the second leg will come up, we will be ready. What happened on Saturday was unexpected and we apologise to Nigerians who stood by us, especially His Excellency, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his cabinet.'We want to assure them that we will come out victorious at the end of the day. The players now realise that they have not redoubled their efforts because we need to beat them at least 2-1 in Tunis', he said.
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