There was nothing to separate ES Tunis and Al Ahly in a very tight first leg of this year’s CAF Champions League final.
Esperance, who had eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns, were held to a goalless draw in Tunis by record champions Al Ahly.
The home side had a massive chance inside five minutes but a header by Rodrigo Rodrigues from close range missed the target.
Al Ahly had to make an early change, with Ali Maaloul unable to continue and being replaced by Karim Fouad after seven minutes.
The visitors had their first attempt on target after 24 minutes byt a powerful shot by Hussein El Shahat was saved by Amanaliah Memmiche.
ES Tunis had another good chance from a free-kick in the 41st minute but Ghaylene Chaalali sent his free-kick just across the bar.
Esperance had the first real chance of the second half after a free-kick was extended by the near post but missed at the far post as another chance went begging.
However, there was nothing to separate the two teams as Esperance kept their ninth successive clean sheet in the competition. The second leg will be held in Cairo next week.
