Wits dumped out of Champions League

Cape Town - Bidvest Wits failed overturn the one goal deficit as they played to a goalless draw against Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League second-leg encounter on Sunday.

The game got off to a lively start with Wits showing their intent on getting an early as soon as possible, however it was the Egyptian outfit who had the first real opportunity of the game when they got in behind the Wits defence only their subsequent calls for a penalty was waved away by the referee.

There was a tactical battle between the two sides with The Students intent on pressing the visitors as high up on the pitch as possible, whilst Al Ahly cleared their lines every time the chance presented itself from the back.

The Egyptian giants frustrated Gavin Hunt's men with their ultra-defensive and petty time-wasting tactics. A member of the Al Ahly technical team was sent to the stands by the referee for allegedly taking his protest too far.

Al Ahly's goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy pulled off a fine save to keep out Buhle Mkhwanazi's header, before Gabadinho Mhango blasted an effort against the post from close range.

The Clever Boys continued their search for the opener in the second-half as Hunt introduced Elias Pelembe for the ineffective Phakamani Mahlambi in the second-half .

Eleazor Rogers was also introduced and replaced James Keane and the lanky forward's presence was almost immediately felt when his long-range effort in the 63rd minute was fumbled by Ekramy, but nobody was on hand to finish off the rebound.

Rogers came agonisingly close to giving his side the lead in the 70th minute, when he profited from some great play by Pelembe, however the forward's shot was hit straight at the goalkeeper.

Al Ahly were unfortunate not to take the lead in the 86th minute, when a fine run by Amr Gamal saw him beat three defenders but his resulting shot cannoned of the post.