Orlando Pirates were left frustrated in the opening game of their CAF Champions League campaign as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn La Cure Waves in Port Louis on Sunday.
The fixture played at the Cรดte-dโOr National Sports Complex in the Mauritian capital was the first leg of the First Preliminary Round tie between the two sides. Its result amplified the importance of the upcoming decisive leg at Orlando Amstel Arena, with everything still to play for in a bid to progress in the prestigious competition.
Making their return to the venue where they were held to a stalemate at an identical stage of the tournament two years ago, Pirates had a couple of bright moments early on. Their attempts to draw first blood in the tie got underway early on as they fired a couple of shots inside the opening quarter.
Oswin Appollis was the first to go for goal when he cut in from the left before drawing a comfortable save from goalkeeper Jean Ramdiane, who was later forced into a more difficult stop in the 15th minute when Boitumelo Radiopane unleashed an effort from range.
The visitors continued to control matters in the first half, going close in the 36th minute when Radiopane fell a split-second late in his effort to turn the ball into the net following a cross delivered from the right flank. The unfamiliar artificial surface remained tricky but could not deter a confident approach from the Buccaneers, who had a last-gasp attempt through a free kick awarded moments before the break with Deon Hotto directing his effort over the crossbar.
The Namibian international had another opportunity from a set piece three minutes after the restart, but could only draw an easy save from Ramdiane. He had a chance in open play later on when he entered the box before firing off-target with a left-footed shot.
Several changes were made throughout the course of the second period, and one of the late introductions, Yanela Mbuthuma, was immediately in the thick of things. The striker got on the end of a corner delivered into the penalty area but failed to keep his header down.
The home side also made the odd foray deep into Pirates territory, but found real opportunities hard to come by. It was the Buccaneers who remained the dominant side in the end, but the finishing touch let them down as they failed to find the all-important away goal in the opening leg.
The result means that there is still very little to separate the two sides halfway through the tie, as they now head to Saturdayโs decisive leg in Soweto still deadlocked.
