Stellenbosch could not capitalise on dwelling turf benefit, enjoying a goalless draw towards Zamalek of Egypt within the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals at Cape City Stadium on Wednesday.
The goalless draw within the dwelling leg means Stellies have all to do within the second leg towards Zamalek, who’re the defending champions and an enormous of African soccer with a large pedigree in CAF competitions, in Cairo subsequent Wednesday (6pm).
On Wednesday, the primary stanza was considerably evenly-matched, though Stellenbosch made extra field entries, creating a number of half probabilities with the likes of Ashley Cupido and Andre de Jong missing that leading edge to make them rely.
It’s price noting that every one these half probabilities had been astray. In actual fact, the primary half produced zero photographs on the right track as Zamalek additionally didn’t register one. The White Knights primarily used their full-backs Omar Gaber and Ahmed Mohamed, on the suitable and left sides to threaten. Nevertheless, a lot of the pair’s harmful balls, particularly cutbacks, had been simply intercepted by Stellies midfielders Sihle Nduli and Thato Khiba, who at all times dropped deep once they had been out of possession.
Stellenbosch tried to play an extended ball to their speedy winger Devin Titus at instances however he could not get the higher of Mohamed on the left flank.
Stellenbosch practically broke the impasse simply 4 minutes into the second stanza when Khiba’s well-measured cross discovered Genino Palace, just for him to overlook the ball fully and, as a substitute, plunged into the Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Moussa.
Palace could be withdrawn for Ibraheem Jabaar within the sixty fifth minute after scuffling with what regarded like cramps.
The Maroons had one spectacular possession stint early within the second interval, knocking the ball round for nearly a minute till Fawaaz Basadien determined to whip in a cross that was lamentably deflected off Palace for a Zamalek goal-kick.
Stellies would thereafter play in patches, additionally struggling to actually penetrate the Zamalek’s reaguard. The Egyptian giants began being purposeful solely within the final quarter-hour, throwing all the things at Stellies. Their late resurgence virtually paid off when Ahmed Sayed performed a neat cross into the field, discovering Nasser Mansi, who’s header was saved magnificently by Sage Stephens.
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