Wydad and Esperance draw first leg of Champions League
Last updated on .From the section Football
Morocco's Wydad Casablanca were held to a goalless draw at home by Tunisia's Esperance in the first leg of the African Champions League final.
Wydad dominated the first half with Rami Yassine and Congo Brazzaville's Fabrice Ondama both going close.
Esperance got back into the game in the second-half with the best chances falling to Mejdi Traoui and then Khaled Mouelhi in injury time.
The second leg will be played at the Rades Stadium in Tunis on 12 November.
It is the third time the clubs have drawn in the competition this season.
Wydad came from two goals down at home to force a 2-2 draw in August and there were no goals when they clashed again two weeks later.
Although the Blood and Gold'will be thrilled to have survived 90 minutes in the 70,000-capacity Mohammed V Stadium cauldron without conceding a goal, Esperance did likewise in the 1999 final against Raja Casablanca only to lose the final on penalties.
As well as the US$1.5 million in prize money the winners also clinch a place at Fifa's Club World Cup.
The tournament kicks off on 8 December in Japan, bringing together the continental club champions.
