Wits knocked out but not disgraced

Gavin Hunt hyped it as the biggest game in BidVest Wits’ 96-year history and while his charges’ show - down against Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly was no football classic, the game certainly had its moments at BidVest Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.

Wits were playing in the African Champions League for the first time but they were not disgraced after holding the eight-time champions to a 0-0 draw.

They lost the two-leg tie 1-0 on aggregate. Wits went into this encounter knowing that they would have to take the game to Africa’s most successful club after losing the first leg 1-0 in Cairo eight days ago.

Chances were few in the first half and the visitors gave Wits very little room to manoeuvre, expertly closing down the spaces whenever the hosts got close to goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy’s area.

It was a game that suited the visitors but Wits kept chipping away, patiently trying to find a way past a solid rearguard marshalled by the gangling Ahmed Hegazy.

Phakamani Mahlambi’s frustrating penchant for giving away possession at the worst possible times would have been the main talking point of the first half until Wits suddenly came to life just before the half-time break.

Wits had their more illustrious counterparts’ backs against the wall during those closing minutes and Al Ahly were relieved that they managed to keep the hosts at bay.

Al Ahly goalkeeper Ekramy pulled off a breathtaking save when it seemed Buhle Mkhwanazi had headed home. The Egyptians were happy to concede the resultant corner kick but it seemed Wits would finally punish them for celebrating prematurely when the ball floated towards Gabadinho Mhango.

Mhango’s shot beat the goalkeeper but the ball was kept out by the upright when it seemed he would finally break the deadlock. The two teams went to the halftime break still tied at 0-0.

They picked up the pace in the second half, with Wits looking for the elusive goal and Al Ahly seemingly determined to deliver the killer blow. Hunt can look back at this match with satisfaction as Wits put up a brave fight against a team that has dominated continental football for years.

Al Ahly advanced to the expanded Champions League group where 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four.