By Arinze Ude.
Sunshine Stars of Akure will square off against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the African Champions League semi-final first leg next month.
The match is billed for October 6 here in Nigeria and Sunshine stars will be looking to take an advantage to Cairo for the return leg scheduled for 19-21 October.
Al Ahly striker Moteab has been ruled out of the mouth watering clash after been told by the doctors that he will not recover in time from kidney stones to face Nigeria’s sole representative in the competition.
Al Ahly wrote on their website: “Moteab will miss the team’s trip to Nigeria as ordinary medicine failed to cure him.
“He will start laser treatment for his kidney pain on Tuesday.”
Moteab has only recently recovered from a back problem and came off the bench in Ahly’s 1-1 draw with Cairo rivals Zamalek in their last Champions League group stage match.
His absence is a major blow to Ahly, who have relied on Moteab’s consistent performances, as they aim to build a platform to progress to the final and a shot at a seventh continental title.
Tunisian side Esperance, who are the defending champions, meet TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the other semi-final.
Meanwhile, FIFA has made the draw for December’s Club World Cup in Japan. The winners of the African Champions League – TP Mazembe, Esperance, Sunshine Stars or Al Ahly – now know their route to glory.
They will face the victors of a play-off between the winners of Japan’s football championship and New Zealand’s Auckland City on 9 December. The winners of that match will face South American champions Corinthians for a place in the the final.
In the other half of the draw, Mexican side, Monterrey, and the winners of the Asian Champions League will meet with a semi-final berth at stake. The victors will face English Premier League side and European Champions League winners, Chelsea, to decide who makes it to the final which will be played on 16 December.
