Orlando Pirates suffered a CAF Champions League matchday 1 setback when held 0-0 by AC Leopards Saturday.
The South Africans wasted several good chances at freezing Orlando Stadium against Congo-Brazzaville opponents who threatened to score only once.
New striker Lennox Bacela and midfielder Oupa Manyisa were the chief culprits among the Buccaneers when it came to squandered opportunities.
Bacela shot at goalkeeper Lawrence Ngome in a one-on-one situation midway through the second half when a cross fell invitingly for the South African.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic star was unlucky four minutes after half-time when a goal-bound header following a corner was cleared off the line.
Manyisa fluffed his chance to become the match-winner eight minutes from time, shooting at a defender when Ngome failed to grasp a cross.
There were also a couple of first-half chances for Pirates to take the lead with midfielder Daine Klate twice at fault.
He failed to control a pass after sprinting past the defence and later could not connect with a Sifiso Myeni tap in front of an unguarded goal.
Leopards came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the opening half as a Junior Mouzita shot grazed the crossbar on the way over.
The South African season kicks off only in August so Pirates were rusty, but were still expected to capitalise on conditions alien to the Congolese.
Apart from the bitter cold, Champions League debutants Leopards had to contend with stamina-sapping 1,800-metre altitude, and rarely play at night.
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and Zamalek are the other clubs in the mini-league and they clash behind closed doors on July 24 in Red Sea resort El Gouna.
The South Africans wasted several good chances at freezing Orlando Stadium against Congo-Brazzaville opponents who threatened to score only once.
New striker Lennox Bacela and midfielder Oupa Manyisa were the chief culprits among the Buccaneers when it came to squandered opportunities.
Bacela shot at goalkeeper Lawrence Ngome in a one-on-one situation midway through the second half when a cross fell invitingly for the South African.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic star was unlucky four minutes after half-time when a goal-bound header following a corner was cleared off the line.
Manyisa fluffed his chance to become the match-winner eight minutes from time, shooting at a defender when Ngome failed to grasp a cross.
There were also a couple of first-half chances for Pirates to take the lead with midfielder Daine Klate twice at fault.
He failed to control a pass after sprinting past the defence and later could not connect with a Sifiso Myeni tap in front of an unguarded goal.
Leopards came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the opening half as a Junior Mouzita shot grazed the crossbar on the way over.
The South African season kicks off only in August so Pirates were rusty, but were still expected to capitalise on conditions alien to the Congolese.
Apart from the bitter cold, Champions League debutants Leopards had to contend with stamina-sapping 1,800-metre altitude, and rarely play at night.
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and Zamalek are the other clubs in the mini-league and they clash behind closed doors on July 24 in Red Sea resort El Gouna.
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