Wasteful Al-Ahli Benghazi were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by battling Orlando Pirates in a CAF Confederation Cup group stages match played at Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday evening.
The hosts dominated without being at their best but were thwarted by the Sea Robbers, who dropped to the second spot Group B of the competition.
Ali Alqmati and Sufyan Emran hit the woodwork while Thulani Hlatshwayo cleared a deflected strike from Ibrahem Bodbous off the line.
Orlando Pirates’ threat was limited – Fortune Makaringe having their best chance saved – but the Buccaneers are now unbeaten in three after a tricky run against Entente Setif and a win over Enyimba International.
The hosts started well and Alwadawi flashed a drive wide before Paseka Mako turned Alqmati cross away.
Pirates’ inability to retain possession aided the hosts but the Sea Robbers suddenly sparked in to life after 19 minutes.
Gabadinho Mhango’s driving run opened up space and he found Terrence Dzvukamanja to cut back to Vincent Pule for the Bafana international to curl just wide.
Wayne Sandilands was called upon in the 32nd minute, as the Pirates shot-stopper pulled off a double save to deny Shamikh Hamid from six-yards out.
The Buccaneers ended the half as the stronger of the two sides, but the score remained the same, as the referee blew for halftime.
Sandilands continued to frustrate the Buccaneers, as he did well to keep out Bin Amir stinging effort from distance in the 51st minute.
Pirates came inches close to breaking the deadlock midway in the second half when Ben Motshwari flashed the upright through a free-kick from a promising position.
Soon after, Makaringe shot narrowly over after being fed by Mhango as the visitors continued to boss the game.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the closing stages, with Ahmed Ramadhan going close once again for Benghazi but he fired into the side-netting, as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
