Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana player Percy Tau came off the bench as a second-half substitute for Al Ahly during their CAF Champions League match against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

In the sweltering conditions, the match at the packed 40,000-seat Orlando Stadium in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, concluded without any goals from either side.

The highly anticipated encounter started off slowly, as expected.

The first 30 minutes saw a contest in the midfield, with neither team managing a shot on target.

Both coaches utilized a moment to regroup when Mauritanian referee Abdel Aziz Bouh called for a cooling break at the hour mark due to the temperature reaching 34 degrees Celsius inside the stadium.

After the break, Pirates’ standout player Monapule Saleng launched a deflected shot that was expertly tipped over by Mohamed El Shenawy, marking the first shot on target from the South African side.

Saleng, displaying excellent form, continued to pose a threat with another powerful effort from outside the box, which narrowly missed the mark.

Thalente Mbatha found himself in a good position and nearly surprised Al Ahly keeper El Shenawy with a fierce right-footed attempt from outside the area, but it lacked the precision to find the net.

All eyes were on Bafana Bafana winger Percy Tau following his introduction in the 62nd minute, coming on alongside Mohamed Magdy in place of Wessam Abou Ali and Emam Ashour.

In response to Marcel Koller’s substitutions, Jose Reveiro brought in Mohau Nkotha, who was pivotal in their previous match against CR Belouizdad, along with Tshegofatso Mabasa, replacing Evidence Makgopa and Deon Hotto.

After 77 minutes of gameplay, the match referee again called for a cooling break, as the temperature continued to pose a challenge.

Pirates’ goalkeeper Sipho Chaine demonstrated remarkable reflexes, denying the reigning champions a goal after a powerful strike from Al Ahly’s Hussein El Shehat in the 31st minute.

Showcasing his speed and skill, Tau earned a free kick for the Egyptian side after being fouled by Pirates’ substitute Miguel Tim in the second half.

Regrettably for the 12-time champions, Chaine delivered a stunning save to block Magdy’s direct free kick aimed at the goal.

Both Pirates and Al Ahly remain tied at four points in Group C, as they both began their continental tournament strongly, facing CR Belouizdad and Stade d’Abidjan, respectively.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Hotto, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Mako, Mbatha, Makhaula, Mofokeng, Saleng, Makgopa

Subs: Buthelezi, Monyane, Timm, Dlamini, Maela, Kimvuidi, Nkota, Gilberto

Coach: Jose Riveiro

Al Ahly SC XI: El Shenawy, Rabia, Yasser, Yahya, Omar, Akram, Marawan, Emam, Reda, Taher, Wessam

Subs: Ibrahim, Soliman, Tau, Hassan, Dari, Hussein, El Soulia, Moursy

Coach: Marcel Koller