Egyptian side Smouha came up with a goalless draw at South Africa's Bidvest Wits in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup play-off round on Saturday. In a match that was dominated by the hosts and saw them denied twice by the woodwork, Smouha managed to keep a clean sheet ahead of the return leg in Alexandria. With the visitors playing on the counter, striker Ahmed Hassan Mekki came close to giving his side the lead when he went through on goal in the 57th minute before being thwarted by the keeper. Smouha, however, were lucky not to concede 12 minutes later when keeper Mohamed Abo-Gabal foiled substitute's Eleazar Rodgers effort before the woodwork denied the hosts just seconds later. Strongest opposition Smouha manager Moemen Soliman seemed content after the game, dubbing Bidvest Wits as the strongest opposition in the playoff round. "We faced the strongest opposition in the competition," Soliman said after the game. "I'm proud of my players. They implemented the game's plan well. We could have done better finishing off the chances we had." Smouha host Bidvest Wits, who were ousted by Ahly in the Champions League round of 32, on April 15. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
