South Africa side Stellenbosch FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian giants Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal first leg at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
It’s the first appearance in the quarterfinal stage of the CAF inter-club competition for the Betway Premiership side after finishing second in Group B in the Confed Cup.
They are drawn against the two-time Confederation Cup champions and 14-time Egyptian champions – Zamalek.
Before the game in Cape Town, Stellenbosch received a major confidence boost during the week after a visit by three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach Pitso Mosimane.
Barker revealed before the match that the visit was to give his team a helping hand before the big match. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach is in South Africa, spearheading his Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools programme after his departure from Iranian club Esteghlal FC.
The home side – Stellies made some changes from the team that lost to Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership last Saturday. Lesiba Nku, Sanele Barns and Omega Mdaka made way for Enyinnaya Godswill, Fawaaz Basadien and Ashley Cupido.
STELLENBOSCH FC HELD TO A GOALLESS DRAW BY EGYPTIAN GIANTS IN CAPE TOWN
There was little to write home about during the first half as both teams failed to create clear-cut chances. But Stellenbosch did threaten toward the end of the half with Bafana international Fawaaz Basadien producing a few quality crosses inside the Zamalek box.
Stellies looked more dangerous in the second half. Their first chance came five minutes into the half. Genino Palace found a half-chance to open the scoring but was denied after colliding with Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Moussa.
A few moments later, Sage Stephens produced a world-class save to deny Ahmed Sayed in what looked like a goal-bound header.
Zamalek nearly grabbed a winner 10 minutes from time, but Mostafa Shalaby’s header missed the target. The return leg will take place at the Cairo Stadium on Wednesday, 9 April.
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