Al Merrikh 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns: Masandawana held ahead of Mosimane reunion in Caf Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Al Merrikh side in a Caf Champions League Group A match at Al Ahly WE Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Saturday afternoon. 

Masandawana were hoping to make it two wins in a row in Group A having defeated Al Merrikhi's Sudanese rivals, Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0 in their opening game last week. Erwin Saavedra was handed his full debut after joining the PSL champions from Bolivia's Club Bolivar last month.

Sundowns were up against an Al Merrikh side that was inactive in matchday one of the group stage due to Egyptian giants Al Ahly's 2021 Fifa Club World Cup commitment. The Glowing Reds pinned their hopes of defeating Sundowns on Tony Edjomariegwe, who scored twice and provided three assists in the preliminary rounds. 

Al Merrikh looked to press Sundowns and force the visitors into giving away possession in their own half. However, Masandawana were able to bypass the Glowing Reds' press and the Tshwane giants launched most of their attacks through the right side of their attack.

Peter Shalulile's low cross from the right hand which was meant for Themba Zwane was blocked by goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid. Abuzaid, who was kept on his toes by the visitors, then parried away a deflected shot from Rivaldo Coetzee as Masandawana pushed for the opening goal.

Masandawana's constant pressing forced Glowing Reds into committing mistakes in their own-half, but the likes of Shalulile, Saavedra and Zwane couldn't keep their shots on target. However, Al Merrikh did threaten just before half-time as Algozoli Hussien's shot was cleared off the goal-line by Brian Mandela and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

Thabiso Kutumela, who replaced an injured Saveedra towards the half-time break, used his