It's a must win for Sunshine in Tunis
by Humphrey Njoku 29 August 2012, 21:12
Sunshine Stars manager, Gbenga Ogunbote is adamant his wards will not take their feet off the throttle against African champions, Esperance in Tunis.
The Nigerian club booked their passage into the semis of the Caf Champions League after Caf expelled Tunisian side, Etoile du Sahel over crowd trouble.
Both sides are level on six points after Caf cancelled Etoile's games and will be going for each jocular to determine the group's leaders.
The first clash between both teams at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode ended 0-2 in favour of the North African side.
Ogunbote said only victory for his side will assuage the humiliation they suffered on Matchday 1 against Esperance.
"We have scores to settle with Esperance, the present state of affair has not erased the bitterness in our minds even as the contest has shifted to top spot claim than qualifying for the semifinal.
"You remember we lost to them 0-2 in Nigeria, they're good side no doubt about but we're working very hard to ensure we've positive result over there in Tunis.
"We want to tell people that the first fixture defeat was a huge mistake on our part, we accorded them unnecessary respect and paid the price.
"So we want to go to the pitch, commit suicide and come out alive," he told supersport.com.
Ogunbote said his wards are not under pressure heading to this weekend's tie against the title holders.
"Perhaps we would have played under intense pressure, pressure to qualify, pressure we're going to meet a team that came here and defeated us.
"But right now, we would want the players to look at it just as a time for them to go there and prove themselves.
"At least, use the occasion to send a signal that they are in the race to win the title," he said.
The Akure Gunners are expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday while they depart on Friday aboard Air Maroc for Sunday's showdown in Tunis.
The game against Esperance will be the last group game for the Nigerian side.
