Staff Reporter.
TP Mazembe and Al Hilal continued their slow starts to Group B of the CAF Champions league after they played to a 0-0 draw at the Al Hilal Stadium, Omdurman, on Wednesday afternoon.
The result leaves the Ravens in second place on the log on two points – one behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who will play third-placed Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in a catch-up fixture this weekend – while Hilal are placed fourth with one point.
Hilal created the first chance in the opening minutes after cutting through Mazembe’s defence, but Mohamed Abdel Raman was denied at close range by goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro.
The DR Congo visitors settled into the match after that rocky opening and gained a foothold, though it was the Blue Wave who again created another scoring chance just past the half-hour mark.
Ibrahim Ndiaye played a fine cross to meet the head of Vinny Bongonga, but Mounkoro was again on hand to make a fine save.
Hilal continued to probe in what remained of the first half, but the Ravens were able to get the interval with the scores still level at 0-0.
Mazembe improved after the break and managed to mostly close down the home side’s avenues of attack, even providing more of a threat themselves through substitute forwards Sudi Bibonge and Freddy Djedje.
Ultimately the teams cancelled each other out, though Mazembe did have to hang tough late on when they were reduced to 10 men – Cedric Zemba Ikoung received two yellow cards in quick succession and was sent off.
The teams will return to Champions League action on the first weekend of March, with Al Hilal visiting Algeria’s CR Belouizdad and TP Mazembe hosting Mamelodi Sundowns.