The Orlando Stadium was at full capacity as Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly played out a goalless draw in a tense Group C clash on Saturday in the second group stage match of the  CAF Champions League.

Both teams remain unbeaten, with four points each after two matches, setting up a fiercely competitive group as the competition progresses.

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.

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 result leaves both sides tied on four points, with Pirates occupying second place due to goal difference.

Al Ahly, sitting atop the group, will feel slightly more confident heading into their next match.

Meanwhile, attention now turns to the other Group C fixture between Stade d’Abidjan and CR Belouizdad later on Saturday.

Both sides are yet to register points, and the outcome could significantly influence the group’s dynamics.

With two matches down and four to go, Group C promises to deliver more drama as Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly maintain their push for knockout stage qualification.

“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