CAF Confederation Cup: Al Ittihad left frustrated after goalless draw with Al Masry

Al Ittihad were held to a goalless draw by Egypt’s Al Masry at the Tripoli International Stadium on Friday in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie, leaving the Libyan side with work to do in next week’s return fixture.

Despite dominating possession and creating the better chances, Al Ittihad failed to find the breakthrough against a well-organised Al Masry side that defended resolutely throughout the encounter.

The hosts dictated the tempo from the opening minutes, pushing forward through the flanks and testing the Egyptian defence with repeated set pieces, but their efforts were met with firm resistance.

The home crowd came alive midway through the first half when a moment of chaos in the Al Masry penalty area almost broke the deadlock.

A deflected effort ricocheted off the post, sparking brief celebrations that were quickly silenced as the ball rolled away to safety.

It proved to be Al Ittihad’s best chance of the evening, as their forwards struggled to convert pressure into clear scoring opportunities.

As the match wore on, Al Ittihad increased their intensity, searching for a late goal that never came.

Al Masry, meanwhile, remained compact and disciplined, content to absorb the pressure and counter when possible.

Their goalkeeper produced several key saves to deny the Libyans, preserving the clean sheet that gives the Egyptian side a slight psychological edge heading into the second leg.

The result leaves Al Ittihad facing a challenging task in Suez, where they must now score to keep their hopes of reaching the group stage alive.

For Al Masry, the stalemate represents a solid away performance and a foundation to build on at home.

Both sides will have a week to regroup before the decisive return match, scheduled for next Sunday.

With a place in the group stage on the line, the clash in Suez promises to be a tense and fiercely contested affair, as Al Ittihad chase redemption and Al Masry aim to finish the job.