Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Ahli Benghazi at the Petro Sport Stadium in the first leg of their Caf Champions League first-round tie.

Pitso Mosimane’s side went into the clash on the back of a 0-0 draw against newly-crowned Telkom Knockout Cup champions Baroka in the Absa Premiership.

Masandawana advanced to the next round of the continental tournament after thrashing Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea 7-1 on aggregate in the preliminary stage.

The home side started the brighter of the two teams and wasted little time making inroads towards the Sundowns goal-frame, but found goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene in fine form.

Hlompho Kekana almost picked out PhakamAni Mahlambi with a trademark pinpoint long-ball. However, the former PSL Young Player of the Year failed to control Kekana’s ball.

Sundowns gradually eased into their rhythm and started to get a grip on proceedings. Mahlambi came agonisingly close to opening the lead in the 23rd minute when a good interchange of play saw Kekana release Gaston Sirino, who in turn played Mahlambi through on goal, but he again missed the target.

Benghazi responded by upping their tempo in the latter stages of the first half and should arguably have taken the lead following a series of attacks, but the central defensive duo of Rivaldo Coetzee and Musa Lebusa stood tall to every task thrown at them.

The attacking partnership of Brockie and Mahlambi caused the Benghazi defence a few scares, but did not prove fruitful with the likes of Jali and Kekana trying efforts from range.

Mosimane opted for a change in the second half as Thapelo Morena was introduced for Sirino in the final ten minutes of the game.

In the end, Sundowns were made to rue their wastefulness as they played to a 0-0 draw with Al Ahli Benghazi in Libya.

Photo: Gallo Images