This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.
Egypt's Ahly settle for Champions League draw in Tunisia A scrappy African Champions League game between Ahly and Bizertin in Tunisia ends in a goalless draw on Sunday
Title holders Ahly of Egypt kept Tunisian side Bizertin at bay to settle for a goalless away draw in the first leg of the African Champions League round of 16 on Sunday. Only 1,500 fans were allowed to attend the game at Stade 15 Octobre due to security concerns, but the vociferous fans provided the only zeal in an otherwise dour game. Ahly, who are seeking to win a record-extending eighth Champions League title, will be favourites to advance to the group stage when they host Bizertin in the second leg in a fortnight. The game was preceded by riots in Bizerte after the Tunisian outfit were disqualified from the national league, a decision that led to clashes between their fans and police. Ahly's attacking-minded formation included two established strikers in Emad Meteb and Ahmed Abdel-Zaher but neither made a tangible impact in a dull affair. Chances were at a premium in a scrappy first half that saw both sides struggle to create genuine goal-scoring opportunities. Bizertin's Adam Alrjaibi missed the target with a long-range shot and Ahly keeper Sherif Ekramy saved a tame shot from Marouane Troudi. Ahly's only chance before the break fell to promising defender Rami Rabeia, whose effort from a tight angle went just wide on the stroke of halftime. Bizertin dominated possession in the second half and poured forward in the latter stages to score the winner but were denied twice by Ekramy, who saved a free header and parried a powerful shot in the last quarter of an hour. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)
