CAFCL: ASEC, Esperance ends in a frustrating goalless draw; Yanga hold Sundowns in Tanzania
Ivorian giants, Asec Mimosas walked away the happier side on Saturday evening when they frustrated Esperance Sportive de Tunis to a goalless stalemate in what was the last round of Quarter-Final fixtures for the weekend played at the Stade Olympique in Tunis.
The 0-0 draw sets up a grand finish to the Quarter-Finals when the two sides meet in return fixture in Abidjan next weekend with both teams going into the clash on clean sheets.
Despite being starved of possession; the Ivorians were the first to get a chance at goal after loss of possession in the danger area by Raed Bouchniba concluded with Karidioula Mofosse almost capitalizing on the error but saw his effort go wide off target.
The Tunisians eventually had a sniff at goal just before the half hour mark after Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught the keeper off guard, who did just enough to fist it away from danger.
In the second stanza, the hosts continued from where they left off as they surged forward in search of the opener.
The introduction of fresh legs by coach Miguel Cardoso injected much-needed pace in the hosts’ attack.
Second half substitute, Oussema Bouguerra was unlucky not to have found the opener after a well struck effort from outside the box had Ayayi Folly well beaten but was fortunate to see the ball come off the woodwork.
Midfield sensation, Houssem Tka should have broken the deadlock in the 74th minute after doing well to rise above his markers for his header to go just off target.
Despite being under severe pressure throughout the match, the Ivorians did well to absorb and thwart most of the attacks, as they escaped the north African nation with a confidence boosting draw ahead of the return leg next weekend.
There was nothing to separate Young Africans and Mamelodi Sundowns in Dar er Salaam on Saturday evening, as the two sides played out to a highly tactical 0-0 stalemate in their first leg Quarter-Final clash.
A packed to the rafters Benjamin Mkapa Stadium saw 60 000 Tanzanians in full voice to witness last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup finalists taking on the inaugural African Football League champions.
While the fixture failed to produce a goal, the match was nothing short of entertaining as both sides gave it their all but were met with equally good defending and goalkeeping on either side.
True to their enterprising style, Sundowns kept most of the ball possession, hoping to tire out their hosts who stood their ground and responded with quick counter-attacks.
Yanga were the first to have a sniff at goal in the 27th minute when Clement Mzize was through on goal but disappointingly fired a straight shot that was easily gathered by the in-form Ronwen Williams.
With just seconds before the break, Teboho Mokoena unleashed one of his trademark long distance strikes which almost caught Djigui Diarra off guard.
Coming back from the recess, it was the hosts who had the better chances, despite Sundowns having more of the possession.
Mzize was back in the Sundowns danger area again in the 57th minute when he rose above his markers to connect with a Stephane Aziz Ki cross that went just off target with Williams rooted to the ground.
Yanga’s best opportunity came in the 68th minute when Kennedy Musonda found himself one-on-one with Williams, but it was the Sundowns shot stopper who came out top as he made the save to deny the hosts the lead.
The match continued to be a highly tactical affair, with both sides attacking with caution and defending in numbers as it ended goalless.
The two sides will meet again at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the return leg next weekend where the winner will be decided in what promises to be highly entertaining return fixture.
Former champions TP Mazembe and Petro de Luanda battled to a goalless draw in the first leg of their League quarter-final clash in Lubumbashi.
