Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly played to a goalless draw in their CAF Champions League group stage clash at a sold out Orlando Stadium.
CAF Champions League
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-0 Al Ahly
Date: 07 December 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made three changes from their loss against Stellenbosch, as Monnapule Saleng, Paseka Mako and Deano Van Rooyen were recalled.
The Buccaneers occupied Al Ahly deep in their own half in the early stages but they could not create clear chances.
The Red Devils were happy to absorb the pressure and hardly had any chances on counter-attacks around the half-hour mark, with the game game on the balance and cagey.
Saleng brought the game to life ten minutes before the interval with a deflected shot that was parried over the crossbar by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Marcel Koller's charges were nearly caught napping shortly before the break after Saleng caught El Shenawy off guard with a shot from range that missed narrowly wide.
The Buccaneers caught Al Ahly again with a quick free-kick after Relebohile Mofokeng teed up Saleng but El Shenawy came out in the nick of time to avert danger, as the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
The match opened up from the interval as ten minutes later Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha had enough space on the edge of the box with a curling shot that missed narrowly wide.
The Red Devils showed a little bit more attacking intentions as just after the hour-mark, they eventually brought on Bafana Bafana striker Percy Tau in place of Wessam Abou Ali for fresh legs in attack.
Jose Riveiro's men, however, could not get momentum in the closing stages and the Spanish coach made an attacking and tactical change for the last ten minutes, as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Mbatha.
The game was there for the taking in the dying minutes and Hussein El Shahat almost stole maximum points for Al Ahly with a cracking shot in the box that produced great reflexes from shot-stopper Sipho Chaine.
The Red Devils looked more threatening in stoppages as Chaine made another save from a diagonal free-kick by Yahya Attiat Allah and the match eventually ended all square.
The sides remained unbeaten four points apiece in Group C.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Hotto, Sesane, Mako, Mbatha, Makhaula, Mofokeng, Saleng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Monyane, Timm, Dlamini, Maela, Kimvuidi, Nkota, Gilberto
Al Ahly: El Shenway, Rabia, Yasser, Yahya, Omar, Akram, Marawan, Emam, Reda, Taher, Wessam
Subs: Ibrahim, Soliman, Hassan, Dari, Hussein, El Soulia, Moursy, Tau
