Esperance de Tunis held ES Setif to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal, played at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers on Saturday morning.
It was an evenly contested affair in the opening exchanges, with both sides seeing a bit of the ball, although chances were hard to come by.
That proved to be the theme for the opening 30 minutes, with the only bit of entertainment coming from Setif’s Amir Karaoui with his skillful touches.
The first effort of the half arrived in the 38th minute courtesy of Ahmed Kendouci’s long range strike, which Ben Cherifia was equal to.
Setif nearly broke the deadlock a minute later when Ferhani Ouari played a fine pass for Abdelrahim Deghmoum, but the striker dragged his effort just wide of the mark.
Esperance were presented with a chance late in the half but Mohamed Ziti did well to clear away Anayo Iwuala’s goal-bound effort, with Sofiane Khedaira well beaten.
Setif’s Riad Benayad came close in the 55th minute with a strike from the edge of the area that flew just wide of the post.
The next clear cut opportunity in the second half fell to Esperance’s Kingsley Eduwo, as the striker’s powerful shot from the edge of the area struck the upright.
Hamdou Elhouni nearly won it for the home side in the 87th minute but the midfielder’s long range effort drew a fine save from Khedairia.
Esperance failed to bypass the stubborn Setifdefence in the remaining stages, with Chelali being denied by Khedairia in stoppage time and were forced to settle for a goalless stalemate.
