Ahead of their potentially explosive semi final matchup against Akwa United in the Aiteo Cup, Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars Duke Udi has stated that his side is not afraid of the free-scoring Uyo-based outfit.

In the first leg of their last four meeting on Saturday, Udi’s Sunshine Stars will host the 2015 Champions, who have scored 13 goals in their last three matches in the Aiteo Cup, in Ijebu Ode , with the return leg slated for Uyo on 4 October.

Ahead of the showdown, the former Super Eagles midfielder admitted that Akwa United are a decent side, even as he called for a fair and unbiased officiating in both legs of the semi final match.

“For you to become a champion, you must beat the best team,” Udi told www.busybuddiesng.com in an exclusive chat. “So we are not scared of anybody.

“The only thing I will say is that; this is an FA Cup (Aiteo Cup) match and the semi finals will showcase the best four teams in Nigeria.

“But all I’m saying is let the better side win and the officiating should be better, because for me, officiating is key. If you want to see a good competition, officiating is key, so that they will bring the best team out that will represent Nigeria in the continental level. That’s just it!

“If it is Akwa United or any other team, we respect them; we take them as the same. It’s eleven against eleven. Aiteo Cup is a one-time show. We respect teams but we are not scared of any team. We played them before and they are a good team,” the former Enyimba and Shooting Stars player stated.

The other semi final will see defending champions (men), FC IfeanyiUbah battle Niger Tornadoes over two legs for a place in the final.

As a head coach, it is the second time Duke Udi is guiding a club to the semi finals of the Nation’s oldest cup competition, after achieving same feat with defunct Giwa FC in 2014, when they lost to eventual champions, Enyimba.