Ajax Cape Town 0-0 Ahly

CAPE TOWN (GoPharaohs.com) - South African champions Ajax Cape Town managed to hold Cairo’s El Ahly to a goalless draw over the weekend, keeping their diminishing hopes for a semi-final spot still alive. El Ahly, however, are almost guaranteed a place in the last four and may very well clinch the group in the next round.

In the first half, Manuel Jose opted to start with the Egyptian Super Cup formation and Meteb and Flavio Amado led Ahly’s attack, with Abu Treka, El Shater, Giblerto, Shawky, and Hassan Mustafa in midfield. Ahmed El Sayed (c), El Nehas, and Goma’a protected El Hadary’s net, who yet again started on the expense of Nader El Sayed despite rumors surfacing over the past week about El Hadary’s behaviour after the super cup victory.

Ahly started out slowly yet confidently, with Ajax unable to crack the red defense early on. The match’s first dangerous chance was provided by Flavio who latched on a stray ball from just outside the box. His curling shot, however, sailed slightly over the bar. Ajax immediately replied with a counter attack and a cross from the left that was deflected towards El Hadary, who managed an easy save. With twenty five minutes gone on the clock, Islam El Shater provided a surprising cross from the right flank to a following Meteb whos diving header from close range was saved by the keeper. Soon after, there was controversy when Mohamed Shawky played a lob pass towards Meteb who was in a one-on-one situation but was brought down rather clearly by the keeper. To the dismay of the red bench, Meteb was cautioned for diving in spite of the arm injury he suffered.

In the second half, Ahly had the wind on their side yet appeared slower than in the first half. Meteb almost put the Cairo club in the lead when he penetrated the South African box from the right, but his far corner low driven strike was saved by the diving keeper. The league’s top scorer missed another chance minutes later from a similar scenario. In the last thirty minutes, Ajax dominated the play without effectiveness. Jose brought on Barakat, who was suffering from a mild injury, as well as Osama Hosny and Wael Reyad. However, the trio failed to provide better buildups and individualistic play from Meteb, Hassan Mustafa, and Barakat proved fruitless.

Ahly sit on top of Group A with 10 points from four matches, with Enyimba and Rajaa on four points and Ajax on three. The club travel to Morocco next week needing only a point to secure the Group’s first ticket.