Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw by Nambian side Africa Stars in their first-leg Caf Champions League second round preliminary qualifier on Saturday evening.
The Sea Robbers came into the second-round tie after a positive result and performance against Free State Stars in the league which saw them extend their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership.
As was expected, Milutin Sredojevic made a number of changes to his staring line-up with only only Abubakar Mobara, Happy Jele and Justin Shonga kepping their spot from the victory over Stars.
The Buccaneers started strongly and had their first opening as early as the fourth minute, but Vincent Pule who arrived at the near post to meet a Mobara cross, had his shot blocked by a Stars defender.
Although Pirates had the early dominance, African Stars grew into the game, but were let down by their final ball.
In a half where chances were proving hard to come by, Linda Mntambo had an opening with 22 minutes gone, but his effort sailed wide after a well-worked free kick.
Shonga then had an opportunity to fire his side ahead five minutes before the break but failed to find the target with his volley.
0-0 at the half-time break with the home side desperate to find the break through.
Pirates came out strong in the second stanza and should have opened the scoring three minutes after the break but Shonga somehow missed the target with a free header from six-yards out.
Sredojevic’s team thought they finally broke the deadlock when Shonga rifled a low shot into the net but the goal was ruled out for a handball in the build-up.
Although the Buccaneers were dominating procedings, with the Samaba boys sitting deep, they were struggling to create clear-cut chances.
Pule then had a glorious chance 12 minutes before time but his header was well saved by Stars shot-stopper Ratanda Mbazuvara.
Try as they might Pirates just couldn’t find a way past their opponents as the game finished goalless.
Pirates will now travel to Namibia for the second leg where they will need to win to progress.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix