CAF CL: Orlando Pirates, Ahly tie for nothing in game day 2

Orlando Pirates claimed a point from Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash with reigning African champions Al Ahly, which finished with a 0-0 scoreline at Orlando Stadium. The hosts were frustrated by the competition’s record winners and remain second in Group C after yet another share of the spoils between the two sides in Soweto.

After nearly a decade since their last encounter, the Buccaneers and the Red Devils locked horns in what was an eagerly-awaited clash. It was a battle for supremacy in their group after both sides had raced to claim the top two spots in the previous game week.

The sellout crowd was however made to wait before finding something to shout about with the first half consisting of very few real chances at either goal. Pirates’ efforts at making the most of their home-ground advantage met a determined effort from the visitors who strictly manned their defensive lines.

The hosts looked to break them off through a succession of set pieces as the break approached. They were however unable to make the most of their chances as the defending champions managed to see out the storm.

A few close calls fell to Pirates moments before the break. Both were from Monnapule Saleng who fired inches wide with a speculative shot from outside the penalty area before knocking the ball straight to Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy after he released inside the box.

He continued to take the game to the North Africans in the second half when he managed to find a way past El Shenawy, who had left his line to attempt a save. The scoreboard was however unaffected with the shot from the Bucs attacker lacking the necessary power to cause any significant problems.

This set the tone for a second period played with more lively tempo as the Buccaneers swiftly made their way deep into opposition territory 10 minutes after the restart. This attack led to a near miss from Thalente Mbatha who drove a shot at goal from outside the box, missing the target by mere inches.

Despite the evident shift in pace at both ends of the field, the two keepers remained largely spared from pressure. They each had to make a pretty straightforward stop with Pirates shot stopper Sipho Chaine equal to the task following an Al Ahly set piece while El Shenawy was also comfortable in dealing with an attempt from Evidence Makgopa.

Bucs attacker Relebohile Mofokeng did manage to make the Egyptian international sweat after the hour mark when he got on the end of a cross from Deon Hotto. There was however no change to the scoreline as the experienced keeper managed to keep out the youngster’s effort.

A desperate search for a late winner saw the visitors sparking a few opportunities for themselves in the game’s dying moments. The best of these came from replacement midfielder Hussein El Shahat who was able to connect with one inside the Buccaneers’ penalty area, forcing Chaine to his right as he produced a crucial save with not much time left on the clock.

The contest continued at a frantic pace with the final whistle just moments away, but the home side failed to connect inside the attacking third while Chaine kept them in it with another important stop from a set piece. No goals were forthcoming in the end as the two sides completed their third Champions League stalemate at Orlando Stadium.