The first leg of the CAF Champions League final ended in a goalless stalemate as Esperance Sportive de Tunis were held by defending champions Al Ahly SC on Saturday evening.

In a tightly contested match at Rades, four-time champions Esperance failed to capitalize on their home advantage, setting the stage for a challenging return leg in Cairo next Saturday.

Despite dominating possession, Esperance struggled to break through Al Ahly's disciplined defense.

Early in the game, Rodrigues Silver came close to scoring with a header from a Houssem Tka cross, but his effort narrowly missed the target.

Al Ahly's Al Shahat almost put his team ahead before halftime with a powerful shot from distance, which barely missed the goal, providing a moment of relief for Esperance’s young goalkeeper, Amanallah Memmiche, who continued to impress with his performance.

Both teams entered halftime without making a significant impact on the scoreline, determined to find the breakthrough in the second half.

Esperance remained the more aggressive side, with Roger Aholou nearly scoring with a curling shot from distance that just cleared the bar.

Urged on by their home crowd, Esperance kept pressing forward, but Al Ahly's defense held firm.

The introduction of Al Ahly's key player, Afsha, invigorated their attack. A brilliant long-range strike from Emam Abdelghany almost caught Memmiche off guard, but he managed to keep it out.

As the match drew to a close, Al Ahly's experienced players, including Percy Tau, maintained possession to wind down the clock, frustrating the Tunisian side and their fans.

With the score tied at 0-0, the second leg in Cairo promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be vying for Africa’s most prestigious club football title, ensuring an action-packed finale.

Second Leg:

Date: Saturday, 25 May 2024

Time: 17:00 GMT

Location: Cairo

Fixture: Al Ahly SC vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis