JOHANNESBURG/ LUANDA — Egyptian giants Al-Ahly was held to a goalless draw by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in a CAF Champions League Group C encounter at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The Red Devils lead Group C with four points, tied with Orlando Pirates, who sit in second place after two rounds of play, followed by Belouizdad on three.
“We created several chances in front of Orlando Pirates’ goal, and the opponent also had several attempts,” Al-Ahly Swiss coach Marcel Koller said after the match.
Despite the draw, both coaches found positives in their teams’ performances. Koller, while acknowledging the missed opportunities, expressed satisfaction with the point gained on the road.
“Each team got a valuable point in the tournament, and we will close the chapter on this match,” Koller added according to cafonline.com.
Al-Ahly will face Algeria’s Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad at home on December 22.
Both teams remained unbeaten setting up a fiercely competitive group as the competition progresses.
“We lacked the opportunities we had, especially in the first half,” said Orlando Pirates coach Jose Rivero after the match.
Despite controlling much of the game in the opening 45 minutes, the South African side was unable to capitalize on their chances, leaving Rivero frustrated with the missed opportunities.
In a tense encounter at the Orlando Stadium, both teams struggled to find the back of the net, despite creating several chances throughout the match.
Rivero admitted that while his team’s performance was solid, especially in defense, the failure to score was a key disappointment.
“We played a strong match until the end against a competitor with long experience in the Champions League,” he added according to cafonline.com.
“Not achieving victory is the only negative point.”
The Pirates were the better side in the first half, with several key chances to take the lead.
Despite the lack of goals, the nearly 40,000 fans at the game were entertained in the match that was a showcase of defensive discipline and missed opportunities.
Rivero noted that he would shift his focus to the local league before preparing for the next round of Champions League fixtures, against Stade d’Abidjan.
Meanwhile, Koller will look to refine his team’s finishing ahead of their next encounter in the group stage.
Al-Ahly, carrying a 16-match unbeaten away streak into the encounter, came close to breaking the deadlock in the dying minutes when Yahya Attiat Allah’s long-range strike forced a fine save from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Pirates, determined to make their home advantage count, started brightly, with Monnapule Saleng’s energy and creativity posing problems for Al Ahly’s defence.
Saleng came close with a left-footed effort in the 42nd minute, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
The second-half saw Al-Ahly increase their attacking intent, with Percy Tau and Hussein el-Shahat making impactful substitutions.
Shahat’s curling effort from inside the box in the 84th minute required another sharp save from Chaine.
Pirates had a golden opportunity to snatch a late winner in stoppage time, but Thabiso Sesane’s header sailed narrowly wide after a pinpoint cross from Kabelo Dlamini.
The Buccaneers came into the clash after claiming an impressive 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad in Algiers on November 26, while the defending champions beat Stade d’Abidjan 4-2 in Cairo.
In another Group C match, Aimen Mahious emerged as the hero for CR Belouizdad, scoring a decisive 71st-minute goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stade d’Abidjan.
The win propels the Algerian champions back into contention following their opening-day loss to Orlando Pirates, leaving Stade d’Abidjan rooted at the bottom of the group without a point after two games.
The result lifts Belouizdad to third in Group C, just one point behind co-leaders Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates.
Esperance held in Angola
After scoring 16 goals in their first three 2024-25 CAF Champions League matches, Tunisian club Esperance were held 0-0 by Angolan hosts Sagrada Esperanca in Luanda.
Sagrada secured their first point having been hammered 5-1 by Pyramids in Cairo last month – a result that led to coach Roque Sapiri being fired with Antonio Lebo-Lebo taking over.
Having scored 12 times against Somali side Dekedaha in a two-leg qualifier and four against Djoliba in matchday one 10 days ago, Esperance wasted several second-half chances to find the net.
The miss of the match came from Algerian Youcef Belaili, the leading Champions League scorer this season with five goals, who displayed superb ball control only to blaze wide from close range.
Raed Bouchniba and Brazilian Rodrigo Rodrigues also squandered chances to break the deadlock at the national stadium in the Angolan capital.
Maniema earns point against Raja
Maniema Union staged a late comeback to secure a 1-1 draw against Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in a dramatic Group B match.
Joseph Bakasu’s long range effort late in the game secured a point for the home side after the visitors broke the deadlock in the first-half.
The result leaves Maniema Union second in the group with two points from two matches, while Raja Casablanca sit at the bottom with just one point.
Raja Casablanca took an early lead in the 17th minute through Younes Najjari, whose composed finish into the bottom corner capitalized on Naoufel Zerhouni’s incisive assist during a swift counterattack.
The Moroccan side looked in control for much of the first half, with Maniema Union struggling to break through their disciplined defense.
The second half, however, saw a rejuvenated Maniema side pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
After consistent pressure, their persistence paid off in the 79th minute when Joseph Bakasu unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, finding the bottom corner to draw the DR Congo outfit level.
Âgée Basiala provided the assist after persistently showing his creativity in midfield that caused some problems for the Moroccan side.
The final minutes were a tense affair as both teams sought a winner. Raja Casablanca came close through Naoufel Zerhouni in stoppage time, but his effort was blocked by Maniema’s resilient defence.
Raja’s search for a first victory in this season’s competition continues, while Maniema Union’s spirited performance keeps their hopes alive as they extend their unbeaten streak at home.
