Cape Town City were unable to breakdown USM Alger and played to a goalless draw in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage play-off first leg on Wednesday evening.
Cameroonian Brice Ambina was immediately thrown back in the eleven by City after he returned from suspension and national team duty, while Wayde Lekay started in attack ahead of Luke Daniels.
Read: TP Mazembe down Royal AM in first-leg play-off tie
The home team got off to a promising start where defender Taariq Fielies nearly grabbed the lead from a corner-kick, but failed to find the back of the net.
USM encountered little joy in the attack whereas the Citizens continued to enjoy the bright opening and in particular penetrated the left side of the area through veteran Marc Van Heerden.
The Citizens continued to push the visitors before the end of the half and nearly got the opener when a deflected shot on the edge of the area from Khanyisa Mayo deflected wide.
USM remained resilient as the second half commenced and frustrated the Citizens who struggled to breakthrough and penetrate their North African counterparts.
City launched more openings a little to the midway stage of the second half from a dangerous ball in the area by Van Heerden, but Mayo wasn't able to connect.
A double change from City later on followed, as Lekay made way for Darwin Gonzalez before Taahir Goedeman came in for Thabo Nodada.
USM were very close to the opener minutes before time and a point-blank stop from Darren Keet was required to keep the matters all square.
Eric Tinkler's men could've bagged the win too later on with a header on the edge of the area by Kajally Drammeh, but it went wide and 0-0 was the encounter ended in Cape Town.
Confirmed line-ups:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Van Heerden, Mokeke, Makola, Ambina, Mayo, Nodada, Lekay
Subs: Mpandle, Bender, Mokhuoane, Kajally, Darwin, Martin, Rhodes, Goedeman, Mdantsane
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In