Four-time winners, TP Mazembe are still chasing for a win at the group phase after debutants Moghreb Tetouane held them to a barren draw on Sunday in Tetouan.
The result leaves the DR Congo champions, two points shy of Group A leaders, El Hilal, who moved to four points after a 2-0 win over Egyptian first timers, Smouha.
‘Les Corbeaux’ put up an improved output compared to their opening draw against Hilal a fortnight ago, but still drew blank despite some decent chances at goal, whilst Moghreb Tetouane will savour the hard earned point against a star-studded Mazembe side, after surrendering a two-goal lead in their 3-2 loss to Smouha two weeks ago in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.
The result leaves the DR Congo champions, two points shy of Group A leaders, El Hilal, who moved to four points after a 2-0 win over Egyptian first timers, Smouha.
‘Les Corbeaux’ put up an improved output compared to their opening draw against Hilal a fortnight ago, but still drew blank despite some decent chances at goal, whilst Moghreb Tetouane will savour the hard earned point against a star-studded Mazembe side, after surrendering a two-goal lead in their 3-2 loss to Smouha two weeks ago in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.
Ivorian new recruit, Roger Assale gradually warming himself to the fans of ‘Les Corbeaux’ was left out of the team with starting roles handed to Ghanaian duo, Daniel Nii Adjei at the middle and Richard Kissi Boateng at the left side of defence.
Eight minutes into the game, Mazembe goalie Muteba Kidiaba responded positively on his first call to duty with a save from a header by Abdeladim Khadrouf from close range. Minutes later, the hosts profited from a miscued clearance by make-shift right back Chongo Kabaso, but the final shot from Ouald Elhaj Salma was no problem for Kidiaba.
After a seemingly balanced first half, the visitors took the game to their hosts in the second half.
Tetouane goalie, Mohamed El Yousfi saved a tricky situation for his side after captain Mohamed Arbahoun inadvertently diverted Boateng’s0 shot at his goal on 55 minutes.
Another major chance for the Congolese fell to Zambia-import Rainford Kalaba, after El Yousfi spilled Mbwana Samata low shot towards his path. Kalaba curled into the left corner of the net only for soaring Mourtada Fall to head out on the goal line.
Elsewhere, midfield duo Nasr Ahmed and Nazar Hamid each scored in the second half to power Hilal to victory over debutants Smouha in Omdurman.
Nasr scrambled home from a corner after the break before Hamid sealed victory from a superb solo effort nine minutes from time to ensure the maximum points for the ‘Seed al-Balad’.
In Group B, holders ES Setif left it late against fellows MC Eulma thanks to an own goal by goalkeeper Tarek Mahsas on Saturday at the Massaoud Zeghar Stadium in El Eulma.
Mahsas inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from a goalmouth action following a shot by El Hedi Belameiri from a corner in added-on time, to put Setif back on track following a 2-1 loss to rivals, USM Alger in the opening clash two weeks ago.
Earlier on Friday, Algerian USM Alger maintained their hundred percent courtesy a 1-0 win over El Hilal of Sudan in Algiers.
Striker Youcef Bellaili scored the only goal of the encounter on 53 minutes to hand the ‘Reds and Blacks’ the maximum six points from two games.
The victory was without controversy however after a seemingly late equalizer by the Omdurman-based club was ruled out, after the ball from a corner taken by Ghana-import Francis Coffie was adjudged to have crossed the line before Sharaf Eldin Ali headed home.
USM Alger, one of three Algerian clubs in the same group have six points, a good start for their quest to clinch one of the group’s two tickets for the last four. Merreikh and Setif follow with three points apiece and MC Eulma at the bottom with no point.
Results
Group A
12/07/2015 Moghreb Tetouane (Morocco) 0-0 TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
12/07/2015 El Hilal (Sudan) 2-0 Smouha (Egypt)
Group B
10/07/2015 USM Alger (Algeria) 1-0 El Merreikh (Sudan)
11/07/2015 MC Eulma (Algeria) 0-1 ES Setif (Algeria)
Eight minutes into the game, Mazembe goalie Muteba Kidiaba responded positively on his first call to duty with a save from a header by Abdeladim Khadrouf from close range. Minutes later, the hosts profited from a miscued clearance by make-shift right back Chongo Kabaso, but the final shot from Ouald Elhaj Salma was no problem for Kidiaba.
After a seemingly balanced first half, the visitors took the game to their hosts in the second half.
Tetouane goalie, Mohamed El Yousfi saved a tricky situation for his side after captain Mohamed Arbahoun inadvertently diverted Boateng’s0 shot at his goal on 55 minutes.
Another major chance for the Congolese fell to Zambia-import Rainford Kalaba, after El Yousfi spilled Mbwana Samata low shot towards his path. Kalaba curled into the left corner of the net only for soaring Mourtada Fall to head out on the goal line.
Elsewhere, midfield duo Nasr Ahmed and Nazar Hamid each scored in the second half to power Hilal to victory over debutants Smouha in Omdurman.
Nasr scrambled home from a corner after the break before Hamid sealed victory from a superb solo effort nine minutes from time to ensure the maximum points for the ‘Seed al-Balad’.
In Group B, holders ES Setif left it late against fellows MC Eulma thanks to an own goal by goalkeeper Tarek Mahsas on Saturday at the Massaoud Zeghar Stadium in El Eulma.
Mahsas inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from a goalmouth action following a shot by El Hedi Belameiri from a corner in added-on time, to put Setif back on track following a 2-1 loss to rivals, USM Alger in the opening clash two weeks ago.
Earlier on Friday, Algerian USM Alger maintained their hundred percent courtesy a 1-0 win over El Hilal of Sudan in Algiers.
Striker Youcef Bellaili scored the only goal of the encounter on 53 minutes to hand the ‘Reds and Blacks’ the maximum six points from two games.
The victory was without controversy however after a seemingly late equalizer by the Omdurman-based club was ruled out, after the ball from a corner taken by Ghana-import Francis Coffie was adjudged to have crossed the line before Sharaf Eldin Ali headed home.
USM Alger, one of three Algerian clubs in the same group have six points, a good start for their quest to clinch one of the group’s two tickets for the last four. Merreikh and Setif follow with three points apiece and MC Eulma at the bottom with no point.
Results
Group A
12/07/2015 Moghreb Tetouane (Morocco) 0-0 TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
12/07/2015 El Hilal (Sudan) 2-0 Smouha (Egypt)
Group B
10/07/2015 USM Alger (Algeria) 1-0 El Merreikh (Sudan)
11/07/2015 MC Eulma (Algeria) 0-1 ES Setif (Algeria)
By: Cafonline.com
RSS Feed