Confederation Cup: Asec Mimosas hold firm in Monastir

The first leg of the Confederation Cup quarter-final, played in Radès in Tunisia, ended in a goalless draw between US Monastirienne and Asec Mimosas (0-0). The Mimos started the game on the front foot. In a stadium fully behind their opponents, they took control of the play and created the first chances, among them one for Richard Zumah in the 22nd minute. From a cross by left-back Zouzou Carlos, the South African sent in a powerful header that was kept out by Yeddes, the home goalkeeper, before the ball was cleared in a scramble after hitting a Tunisian hand. But the referee, Tessema, waved play on. Asec looked in command, while Monastir struggled to find their rhythm at home. The break came with the score at 0-0, despite a miss from Pokou, unmarked six yards out, in the 40th minute.

After the restart, neither side was much more enterprising. Possession evened out, having been heavily in Asec's favour in the first half. Both coaches changed their forward. Mofossé Karidioula came on for Zumah Richard on the Mimos side, and Traoré went off for Amokrane for US Monastirienne. Even so, nothing changed in terms of efficiency in either attack. Mofossé missed a chance in the 66th minute. His shot was completely off target and did not trouble the Tunisian defence.

Yeddes, on the other hand, made the save of the match from a powerful shot by Attohoula Yao, set up by Kramo Aubin, in the 68th minute. The one big Tunisian chance came in the 85th minute. Alone in the box, Jafeli dummied past his marker but struggled to get his shot away. The ball fell to Boutiche, but he fired over Folly Ayayi's goal against a desperate Mimos defence. The game ended in this goalless draw. A good result for Asec, who can qualify in the return leg in Bouaké in a week's time.

Sanh Séverin