Cape Town City's chances of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stages remain in the balance after a goalless draw against USM Alger in the first leg on Wednesday evening.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Cape Town City 0-0 USM Alger
Date: 02 November 2022
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Citizens made wholesale changes to the side that lost against Marumo Gallants, as only goalkeeper Darren Keet, Thamsanqa Mkhize, Taariq Fielies and Thabo Nodada remained in the line-up.
City had a bright start as Fielies had an early chance from a corner that threatened the Alger goals but was not accurate enough to find the target.
The Citizens, who had Khanyisa Mayo feeding off Wayde Lakay upfront, had a foothold on the game, with Mpho Makola dictating terms in midfield but after the half-hour mark, they were yet to carve out clear openings.
Eric Tinkler's charges continued to enjoy momentum going forward and Mayo came close to breaking the deadlock shortly before the interval with a strike on the edge of the that deflected narrowly wide.
The home side continued where they left off in the second stanza and they had a chance on the hour-mark after Marc Van Heerden went through on goal and curled a cross in the box but Mayo could not connect.
Tinkler made a double attacking change six minutes later, as Darwin Gonzalez replaced Lekay and Taahir Goedeman came on for Nodada and also for fresh legs.
However, City could still not break down Alger's resolute defence and the visitors had a rare chance 15 minutes before time to snatch the lead and get a valuable away goal from a counter-attack but Keet came out quickly off his line and averted danger.
The Citizens showed more urgency going forward after that as Kajally Drammeh had a big chance to break the deadlock after a cross by Van Heerden but he guided his free header on the edge of the box wide.
City were desperate for the decisive goal in the dying minutes and to stretch the Alger defence, Tinkler made a tactical change, as he brought on Craig Martin in place of Makola.
However, the Citizens were held at bay as the game ended all square, with the second-leg set to take place next week Wednesday in Algeria.
Here's how they line up:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Van Heerden, Mokeke, Makola, Ambina, Mayo, Nodada, Lekay
Subs: Mpandle, Bender, Mokhuoane, Kajally, Darwin, Martin, Rhodes, Goedeman, Mdantsane
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