African debutants Dreams hold wasteful Zamalek in CAF Cup

The Ghanaians are playing in Africa for the first time and were underdogs against the vastly experienced Egyptians, who have won 11 CAF titles in four competitions from 1984.

Zamalek dominated from start to finish in front of a vocal, flag-waving crowd, but could not score with Tunisian Seifeddine Jaziri coming close to breaking the deadlock numerous times.

Jaziri was particularly strong in the air, but every time he connected with a cross it flew over the bar at the Cairo International Stadium.

Zamalek introduced Nigerian Samson Akinyoola at half-time and he squandered a great chance to break the deadlock at the start of the second half, hitting the side netting from close range.

A lack of clinical finishing has marred many CAF club knockout matches this season and this game was no exception.

Zamalek had 25 goal attempts, but only six on target. It took Dreams 84 minutes to have an attempt on target -- a weakly-struck Abdul Aziz Issah free-kick.

A desperate goalmouth scramble in added time ended with the ball rebounding off the Dreams bar and the final whistle followed soon after.

Dreams, who host the return match in Kumasi on April 28, are hoping to become the first Ghanaian winners of a CAF club competition since Hearts of Oak won the maiden Confederation Cup in 2004.

ALSO READ