LUBUMBASHI/ TUNIS — Reigning African champions, Al-Ahly and TP Mazembe drew in the first-leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final in Lubumbashi.
Al-Ahly of Egypt and Mazembe of DR Congo tried everything in their power to hit the target. However, they couldn’t find the back of the net.
Both teams have everything to play for in the second leg to book a spot in the final.
The return leg will be played next Friday. The much-anticipated encounter will be played at Cairo International Stadium.
This return match will determine the team that advances to the final to face the winner of the game between Esperance of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
Heading into the encounter, Mazembe was aiming to make it two victories in two after defeating Vita Club 2-1 in the domestic league.
On the other hand, the Red Devils were eyeing a return to winning ways following a 2-1 defeat against Zamalek in a league encounter.
The last time the two sides met was back in 2012 in the CAF Champions League group stages. Al-Ahly won 2-1 at home before Mazembe claimed a 2-0 victory at their turf.
It was a frustrating day for the former champions who laboured for the victory but were held at bay by the defending champions who will be happy with the results on the road.
With the backing of the crowd, it was the hosts who fired the first warning after Filly Traore did well to rise above his markers to head at goal but saw his effort go narrowly wide, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir beaten.
At the half hour mark, Mazembe captain Glody Likonza was unlucky not to find the back of the net after doing well to beat his marker with a diving header but his effort went just over the bar as Ahly survived a scare.
The hosts continued piling on the pressure with the crowd behind them but poor finishing in the final third was their downfall, as the defending champions showed resilience to go into the break without conceding.
Coming back from the break, Mazembe picked up from where they left off as they sent numbers forward in search of the much-needed opener, cafonline.com reported.
Substitute Merceil Vumbi, who injected some much needed pace in the Mazembe attack was unlucky not put his side in the lead at the hour mark after his grass-cutting strike went off target with the keeper having no chance.
The golden opportunity of the match fell in the path of Zemanga Soze who after doing well to eliminate his marker sent his left footed effort wide off target from a very close range to the disappointment of the fans in Lubumbashi.
With just minutes left on the clock, Mazembe looked to have secured a vital win after a well taken corner in the 88th minute found the head of Phillippes Kinzumbi who’s effort went agonisingly over the bar.
While Mazembe will be disappointed with not having found the back of the net at home, it is all to play for in Cairo next Friday as the tie is still very much open for any of the two sides.
Al-Ahly manager Marcel Koller made five changes following their defeat against rivals Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League on Monday, as Amr el-Soleya, Akram Tawfik, Ahmed Abdelkader, Wessam Abou Ali and Reda Slim were brought in.
The Swiss coach Koller eventually brought on Bafana Bafana star from the break in place of Slim as the Bafana attacker’s fresh legs helped Ahly to press high, as they forced Mazembe defence into errors.
Esperance edges past Sundowns
Tunisian side Esperance took a slender 1-0 advantage after the first leg of their semi-final against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Tunis.
The pivotal goal came four minutes before half-time when Brazilian striker Yan Sasse rounded goalkeeper Ronwen Williams before slotting into an empty net after a clever through ball from Rodrigo Rodrigues.
Despite Sundowns having several chances to equalise in the second half, the Tunisian side held firm to take a lead into next week’s second leg in Pretoria.
Sasse missed a chance to double Esperance Tunis’ lead in the 63rd minute after hesitating in front of goal.
Sundowns had the ball in the net midway through the first half, but Aubrey Modiba’s finish was ruled out for offside.
After the break, Peter Shalulile went close for the visitors before Themba Zwane’s fierce drive was brilliantly saved by Esperance keeper Amanallah Memmich
The Tunisian shot-stopper was called into action again late on, pushing Thapelo Morena’s powerful strike over the bar as Sundowns pressed for a crucial away goal.
However, Esperance, bidding to win the Champions League for the fifth time, stood firm to take a narrow lead to the return leg.
