google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

Esperance 0-0 Al Ahly: Stalemate in African Champions League final first leg

Esperance and record 11-time winners Al Ahly played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the African Champions League final in Tunisia.

The clubs had kept a combined 22 clean sheets en route to the final, and defences were on top at a packed Hammadi Agrebi Stadium.

The only effort on target came in the dying stages, when Esperance goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche pulled off a low save to deny Hussein El Shahat.

Esperance’s best chance came early on when Brazilian striker Rodrigo Rodrigues flashed a header wide in the fifth minute.

The hosts continued to have the better chances of the first half in Rades, with Roger Aholou and captain Ghaylene Chaalali both sending efforts wide while El Shahat fired off target for the visitors.

Al Ahly boss Marcel Koller decided to keep faith with Mostafa Shobeir in goal despite experienced club captain Mohamed El Shenawy being available again after injury.

Shobeir had kept eight clean sheets while El Shenawy was absent after suffering a shoulder injury at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt earlier this year.

The return leg will be in Cairo next Saturday, where Al Ahly have won five and drawn six of 11 previous Champions League matches against Esperance.

Esperance are seeking their fifth continental title and previously beat the Egyptians in the 2018 final.


Source link

Views: 0

See also  Africa Live: Saudi Arabia postpones execution of Kenyan man

Check Also

Kenya battles to stop the 'goons and guns' as fears of political violence grow

More than 100 gangs are operating nationwide as the growing use of political thugs raises …

Ghanaian family traces its roots to a tree said to be planted in Apam in the 13th Century

According to oral history passed down over the generations, Santseo was planted in the 13th …

Man sentenced to death for murder of toddlers at Ugandan nursery

Christopher Okello Onyum had pleaded insanity but this was dismissed by the judge. BBC News …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
ad campaigns are created automatically based on each website’s content.