Al Masry 0-0 Vita Club | CAF semi-final first leg

Egypt’s Al Masry, dreaming of a first final appearance in a continental competition, failed to break down DR Congo’s AS Vita Club in a 0-0 draw in Port Said in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Chances were few and far between, with Masry dominating possession but hardly threatening the resolute visitors.

The hosts resorted to some long-range shots in the first half, with playmaker Ahmed Shoukri going closest when his effort went just wide of the post.

Winger Islam Eissa was once again Masry’s liveliest performer but his crosses went begging as they could not slice open Vita Club’s tight backline in the second half.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20xQcOfYjIk

Hossam Hassan confirmed that exhaustion among players is the main reason for the draw.

“I said before the game that we play with only 17-man squad as I have more injured players,” Hassan told a ON SPORTS TV after the game.

Masry coach blamed the games’ sequence saying “we play a game every three days”.

Chances to score were few and far between, with Masry dominating possession but hardly threatening the resolute visitors.

“Despite the draw, I am happy with the players’ performance during the game.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUv1jWdqu8

But Masry will still fancy their chances of booking their first ever spot in the final when they face Vita Club in Kinshasa in the second leg on 24 October.

Earlier in the day, Morocco’s Raja Casablanca claimed a first-leg advantage in the other semi-final after defeating Nigeria’s Enyimba 1-0 away from home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b9EA-wEpvA