Orlando Pirates return with a point from Libya, after a highly physical 0-0 draw against Ahli Benghazi at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday night.

The Buccaneers went into the clash having relinquished top spot in Group A to Enyimba, who triumphed over ES Sétif earlier in the day.

Josef Zinnbauer’s men set about trying to re-summit the table with an assured first-half performance, which lacked in the way of clear-cut chances, despite dominance in possession and territory.

The best chances at either end came via the set-piece situation, with both keepers coming out top on each occasion.

The last action of the first half could have resulted in joy for the Buccaneers, but midfielder Ben Motshwari, who collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty box, put too much on his shot to send it well over the bar.

Motshwari was again in the thick of things, seven minutes after the break, with what looked like a well-placed shot from range, beating the keeper, only to be denied by the upright.

There were chances at the other end, with goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands forced to make two crucial saves in quick succession.

Getting close for the Buccaneers was substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose two attempts at goal could not find the net.

Right on the stroke of full-time, the visitors could have stolen a win, but the upright again had the final say, this time denying Gabadinho Mhango, who shot from a tight angle, only for the ball to crash onto his far post.

In the end, a point is all the Soweto Giants had to settle for, slipping below Enyimba in Group A ahead of their home leg against the Libyan outfit.

Soka25east.com