Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller expressed satisfaction with his team’s 0-0 draw against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in the CAF Champions League.
The match saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with Al Ahly slightly edging possession in the first half, but failing to create meaningful chances.
The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when Monnapule Saleng tested the Al Ahly defence just before half-time.
Koller’s team improved in the second half, and although they had several attempts on goal, they were unable to score.
The standout moment came in the 85th minute when substitute Hussein El Shahat forced a fine save from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine after a powerful shot from inside the box.
Reflecting on the match, Koller praised the quality of the opposition, acknowledging that Orlando Pirates, playing in front of their passionate home supporters, posed a significant challenge.
He also highlighted the difficult playing conditions, with temperatures reaching 34°C and low humidity, which added to the physical demands of the game.
The confrontation was difficult and strong between the two teams, and Al Ahly’s performance improved in the second half.
Some opportunities appeared for both teams, but they did not translate into goals, and the match ended in a goalless draw, Koller said.
Of course, we were playing the match with the aim of winning, but we must not ignore the strength of the opponent in today’s match, especially since they were playing at home in front of their fans.
That is why I see the draw as satisfactory.
Koller went on to stress that securing a point away from home was a positive outcome given the challenges his team faced: Coming out with a point outside our stadium is a good thing in light of the difficulty of the match and playing in very tough climatic conditions with high temperatures and low humidity levels.
The draw leaves both teams looking for further points as they continue their campaigns in the prestigious competition.
