A goalless draw in Algeria to maintain top of the group

After a very long international break, CAF Champions League nights are back. 

Our journey to defend our Champions League title continued on Friday night in Algeria as we were held to a goalless draw against CR Belouzidad at 5 July Stadium in Matchday 4 of the group stage.

That point sent the Red Eagles to the top of the group with six points and we still have two remaining matches in the group against Ghana's Medeama away from home before finishing the group stage at home against Young Africans of Tanzania. 

Before the kick-off whistle went off both teams and the referees stood for a minute of silence for El Amry Farouk, Al Ahly’s vice president who sadly passed away last month.

Both teams had a strong start especially when Al Ahly started building the pressure from the midfield, but the hosts stopped these attempts. 

Taher Mohamed Taher and Hussein El Shahat had two clear chances to break the deadlock but their efforts didn't find the target. 

With many tries from the hosts, Mostafa Shobier, our goalkeeper made an outstanding performance with some outstanding saves.

In the second half, the Algerian team kept searching for the opener but none were successful as Shobier and our defensive line broke all their attempts, securing a vital point in our Champions League journey. 

Post-match Comments 

"It was a tough game. Both teams had some clear chances but the opponents had the advantage of playing official matches after the AFCON but to us, tonight's match was our first official match after a long break. We still have two matches in the group and we will do our best to win the two games."- Marcel Koller 

"Firstly, I would like to wish a speedy recovery to our captain, Mohamed El Shenawy. It was a difficult match against a very good team, who has so many good players. It is not easy to come to Algeria and achieve a positive result. We promise our fans that we will improve in the upcoming matches." -Mostafa Shobier