“We lacked the opportunities we had, especially in the first half,” said Orlando Pirates coach Jose Rivero after his team’s goalless draw against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday. 

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 said.

“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.

However, as the game progressed, Al-Ahly, led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, found their rhythm and put pressure on the hosts.

Yet, the Egyptian giants were also unable to convert their opportunities. “We created several chances in front of Orlando Pirates’ goal, and the opponent also had several attempts,” said Koller 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,” he remarked.

With this result, Al-Ahly remains top of Group C on goal difference, level on points with Orlando Pirates, who will now turn their attention to their upcoming matches.

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.

Raja Casablanca’s Algerian player Yousri Bouzok has reportedly refused to take part in tonight’s CAF Champions League match against AS FAR due to his team’s jersey, which features Morocco’s full map including its southern provinces in Western Sahara.

Le 360 quoted “sources close to the club” as saying that Bouzok, a key player for the team, expressed concerns about possible repercussions from Algerian authorities upon his return home. This has led him to request to be excluded from the game, added the report.

The game is taking place today at 8 p.m. local time at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca. Raja Casablanca has yet to release the official squad list for the match.  

This incident is part of a broader pattern of controversies surrounding the inclusion of Morocco’s full map on club jerseys.

Earlier this year, a similar controversy emerged with RS Berkane’s jersey.  The incident occurred when Algeria denied entry to the team’s delegation after landing at the Houari Boumediene Airport for a game against USMA Alger.

Algerian security confiscated the team’s equipment, including the jerseys, and left them stranded at the airport for hours. The delegation ended up returning to Morocco after Algerian authorities refused to return their equipment for the game to take place. As a result, the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final was cancelled.

The second leg of the match, which was set to take place in Morocco, was also cancelled after USMA Alger players refused to participate in the game.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) affirmed the legitimacy of RS Berkane’s jersey and fined USMA $40,000 for refusing to participate in the two games.

-Morocco World News

Defending champions Al Ahly launched their quest for a third consecutive  CAF Champions League title with a resounding 4-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo on Tuesday.

The record title holders from Egypt dominated the first half, racing to a 3-1 lead, with Mahmoud Kahraba netting twice and Mohamed Magdi Kafsha adding another. 

Stade d’Abidjan managed a response through Kassoum Koné but was ultimately overrun by Al Ahly’s firepower.

A second-half strike by Kahraba secured the points despite a late goal from Roger Assalé for the visitors.

Pyramids FC Shine in Group D

Elsewhere, Egypt’s Pyramids FC lit up the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo with a scintillating 5-1 dismantling of Angola’s Sagrada Esperança. 

Ibrahim Adel was the star, contributing two goals, including a stunning opener in the 17th minute.

Fiston Mayele, Mohamed Hamdy, and Ahmed Atef also found the net, while Sagrada’s consolation came late via Cachí.

The dominant display underscores Pyramids’ ambitions to make a deep run in only their second group-stage campaign.

Goalless Stalemate in Pretoria

In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by DR Congo debutants Maniema Union at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Despite dominating possession, the home side failed to convert several chances, including Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s strike against the crossbar.

Maniema’s resilient defence earned them a valuable point in their first group-stage appearance.

The action continues with Group B’s marquee Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, while CR Belouizdad host Orlando Pirates in Group C.

Esperance face Djoliba in the final Group D fixture later tonight.

-CAF