San Pedro Held By Hassania Agadir In Abidjan

FC San Pedro were unable to maximise their home ground advantage as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Hassania Agadir in a CAF Confederation Cup group D match played at the Felix Houphouet Stadium in Abidjan.

Agadir started the better of the two sides and had the first decent effort on goal in the seventh minute, but Malick Cisse fired his shot from the edge of the box inches over the crossbar.

The visitors’ chances dropped after the first fifteen minutes with Bakary Mane’s header going off target with action turning to San Pedro who took control of the game with Koffi Gueyet making good runs in the flanks.

Minutes later, however, the visitors took the lead when Youssef Al Fahli found the best of the host’s goalkeeper Tape Ezekiel with a clinical left-footed finish.

San Pedro were awakened by the goal and the team started stringing some good passes as they settled well in the game. In the 42nd minute, Mohammed Gariba floated in a great cross but Tidiane Diomande was not fast enough to meet it and the ball sailed out for a goal kick.

San Pedro went into the break wounded and came back with a more attacking strategy with their coaches making a couple of changes which proved worthy as the Blues took in pressure well, fighting back their way to the game.

In the 50th minute, Agadir broke forward and a clever Mehdi Oubilla pass released Gueyet who shot against the crossbar from the inside area.

Malick Cisse came close to extending Agadir’s lead just after the hour mark, although he was unable to properly direct his well-timed volley as he flashed his shot wide of the mark.

The visitors had an early chance in the 72^nd minute as Fahli flicked the ball on the path of Soufiane Bouftini who could not finish.

San Pedro’s equaliser finally came in the 81st minute when Ronaldi Zabi made his presence count with a well-calculated finish coming from a nice set up by Diomande.

Mehdi Oubilla nearly sealed the victory for the visitors at the death but his effort could only trouble the woodwork with Agadir unable to finish off the chance and could only stare at the turf in disbelief.