Orlando Pirates' qualification to the money-spinning group phase of the Caf Champions League is hanging by the thinnest of threads after they were held to a surprise goalless draw by little known Namibian outfit African Stars in the first leg of the first round of Africa's premier club competition.
The Buccaneers created all the big openings in this encounter to take a healthy lead to Windhoek next weekend but woeful finishing accompanied by some good saves made by Stars gloveman Ratanda Mbazuvara saw the two teams leaving all to play for in the second leg.
With many South Africans having already started their festive holidays, the match was poorly attended at the Soweto venue. Only about 10,000 die-hard Bucs fans heeded coach Milutin Sredojevic's call to come and support his men who have struggled with consistency at home this season.
When looking back at this match Sredojevic will count a number of good chances his players wasted.
Linda Mntambo shot wide after connecting well with Justin Shonga's well-worked free-kick in the 21st minute and Shonga himself headed wide with no one closing him down when he received a cross from Vincent Pule at the start of the second stanza.
The Namibian team also proved to be no pushover in this match with their players not afraid to turn defending into attack, although their finishing left much to be desired.
Stars striker Haleluja Nekindi should have given the visitors the lead when he was put through inside the box on the stroke of half time but his slow reaction helped Bucs captain Happy Jele to recover in the nick of time to block his shot.
As has been the norm in this competition, Sredojevic made a number of changes to his regular starting side, with goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, Thembinkosi Lorch, Musa Nyatama, Xola Mlambo and Augustine Mulenga among the big names on the bench.
But when the tough got going Sredojevic did introduce Mulenga, Lorch and Thabo Qalinge for Mpho Makola, Meshack Maphangule and Abbubaker Mobara but they too failed to change the complexion of the proceedings.
The winner in Windhoek will join 15 other sides in the group stages and for now only the defending champions, Esperance of Tunisia, have qualified by virtue of not being part of the elimination rounds.
The 15 Champions League losers of the first round will drop down to the Caf Confederation Cup last 32.
The Buccaneers had an easy passage in the preliminary round when they were pitted against Seychelles minnows Light Stars. Two goals from Mntambo in each legs guided Bucs to an 8-2 aggregate score.
Stars reached the first round after beating Volcan Club from Comoros 2-1 in Windhoek through Chrispen Mbewe and Gustav Isaak after the first leg ended in a 0-0 stalemate in Comoros.
Orlando Pirates (0) 0
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