Bidvest Wits had two contrasting performances in the first and second half of their CAF Champions League first leg, first-round clash away to Al Ahly at the National Stadium in Cairo on Saturday night.
The South Africans suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in a showing that was characterised by guts earlier, but less so following the halftime break, with the hosts applying a pressing approach in search of a goal that would give them an advantage in the return leg.
Ahmed Hegazy broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, the defender slotting the ball past goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs to give the eight-time champions the lead.
Josephs would have been disappointed to concede, given his heroics on the night. The Wits keeper was arguably the best player for the Clever Boys, ensuring that despite the defeat, they have a fighting chance in the second leg next weekend in Johannesburg.
It was a strong team that coach Gavin Hunt picked, and even though Josephs has been relegated to second-choice goalie this season after the arrival of Darren Keet, his inclusion in the starting line-up was no surprise, given his experience with the national team and previous club Orlando Pirates on the continent.
The first half was evidence that the Clever Boys have enough quality to progress to the group stages.
Their two-legged fixture with Al Ahly will determine who between the two sides go into the group stages in the tournament’s new format, where there are four groups instead of the usual two.
Wits hardly got a shot on target, but were confident on the ball and appeared to enjoy their normal game in the first half.
The second, however, was different as the hosts went in search of that elusive goal, and eventually got one through Hegazy.
Al Ahly then pressed Wits deep and forced them to defend in their own half, and cut their attempts to break away in an attempt to catch the Egyptians on the counter.
Hunt was frustrated on the sidelines, but will know that they have a fighting chance in the second leg, with a 2-1 win enough to send them through.
They have to make sure Al Ahly, known to be poor travellers, do not score an away goal.