Marumo Gallants FC drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final on Sunday evening.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa rolled out the big guns, with top scorer Ranga Chivaviro and Letsie Koapeng leading the attack in their first-ever engagement against the Egyptian outfit.
Pyramids possessed a lot of the earlier stakes in forward areas and nearly pulled ahead from a cross into the danger area, but an unlikely character in Celimpilo Ngema appeared in Gallants defence and cleared.
The host worked yet another move a little later when Mahmoud Saber Hassan found space in the box following a reverse pass and forced a save out of Washington Arubi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa came alive in the midst of a subdued spell and nearly had the lead as Sibusiso Sibeko combined with Ngema outside the area and drew a save out of Ahmed El-Shenawy.
In a tense closing to halftime, the Egyptian outfit went inches close to the lead when a half-volley from a tight angle by Mostafa Fathi cracked the face of the post.
Gallants maintained balance in their overall play shortly after halftime and stunned the host as Chivaviro carved out a yard of space in the area to head in Lucky Mohomi's delivery.
The opener expectantly shocked the home team, who struggled to get into rhythm and find joy in forward spaces as the DStv Premiership outfit enjoyed the overall dominance.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa freshened up their side with the introductions of Monde Mphambaniso and Ayanda Nkili in the last two minutes.
Gallants looked to double their lead a minute before time and were close after a strike by Mphambaniso that forced El-Shenawy into a stupendous save.
The host levelled from the penalty spot in added time when Ramadan Sobhi slotted in from the penalty spot following a hand-ball and saw the tie level pegging with return-leg next weekend.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pyramids: Moawad, Gabr, Toure, Sobhi, Fathi, Chibi, Elkarti, Hamdy, Fathy, Essam, Saber
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Mabotja, Gumede, Nku, Ngema, Mohomi, Toure, Mvelase, Sibeko, Letsie, Chivaviro
You must be Sign In to post and read comments.
Click here to register: Sign In