Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 0-0 draw by Petro de Luanda (Petro Atletico) in a Group C 2020-21 Caf Champions League match at Estádio 11 de Novembro on Tuesday.
Both teams struggled to get going in the Angolan capital, but despite the stalemate Chiefs remain within reach of the knockout stages.
The result moves the South African giants level on five points with Horoya who were held to a goalless draw by already qualified Wydad Casablanca in Conakry at the same time.
Set-pieces seemed the most likely source of a goal attempt in the early exchanges with neither Daniel Akpeyi nor Signori Antonio really tested from open play.
Petro came close to breaking the deadlock on the cusp of halftime as Tiago Azulão broke free of his marker at the back post, but the Brazilian could only succeed in guiding his attempt into the side-netting.
Following a rather uneventful first half the game threatened to burst into life after the break as Chiefs grew in confidence.
Lebogang Manyama came close to finally breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute with a powerful free-kick, but his attempt fizzed inches wide of goal.
The best chances continued to fall at the Amakhosi’s feet and in stoppage-time a long throw-in created an opportunity for the visitors – albeit a low percentage one – through Mathoho who pulled his bicycle-kick attempt wide of goal.
In the end, neither team were able to find the decisive goal as they ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils in Luanda.
Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns have secured top spot in Group B of the CAF Champions League after a 1-0 win over TP Mazembe at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Lebohang Maboe netted the only goal as the Brazilians made it four wins from as many matches in the group, while the Ravens’ quarterfinal hopes remain alive – they may be bottom of the standings on two points, but Al Hilal and CR Belouizdad are only a point ahead with two rounds remaining.
The teams will return to Champions League action in early April, with Sundowns away to Al Hilal in Sudan and Mazembe facing CR Belouizdad in Algeria.
Elsewhere Simba beat Al Merrikh 3-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday to take another significant step towards qualifying for the quarterfinal stage of the 2020-21 Caf Champions League.
Victory keeps the Tanzanian giants three points clear of defending champions Al Ahly in Group A, with the Egyptian club having dispatched AS Vita by the same scoreline in Kinshasa in the afternoon.
Next up for Simba is a home match against As Vita while the Red Devils of Sudan will welcome Al Ahly in Omdurman early next month, hoping to register their first win of the group stage campaign.