Sunshine continue Champions League recovery

Nigerian club Sunshine Stars defeated Algerian visitors ASO Chlef 2-0 to continue their recovery after a poor start in Group A of the CAF Champions League. Dele Olorundare headed home a corner on 49 minutes in south-western town Ijebu Ode and Izu Azuka provided the insurance of a second goal with a solo effort on the hour mark. Although Sunshine remain third on the table after three matches, they are level on four points with 2007 champions Etoile Sahel and two behind the pacesetters and defending champions Esperance. The Tunisian teams meet late Sunday in Tunis and the outcome is sure to have a significant bearing on a mini-league that is effectively a three-horse race for two semi-finals places with Chlef pointless following three consecutive losses. Hoping to become the second African champions from Nigeria after 2003 and 2004 winners Enyimba, Sunshine began disastrously last month by losing 2-0 at home to two-time title holders Esperance. But Stars forced a 0-0 draw at Etoile two weeks ago and another victory away to Chlef in mid-August would put them in contention to reach the penultimate stage of a competition offering a $1.5 million first prize. FIFA