Wolaitta Dicha shared the spoils in their opening CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round fixture after being held to a goalless draw by Libyan side Al Ittihad Tripoli at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
The visitors started strongly in the opening 15 minutes, especially down the left flank where they consistently threatened Dicha’s defense. Five minutes into the game a powerful long range strike from outside the box narrowly missed the target.
Despite being under pressure early on, Dicha stood firm at the back and gradually grew into the game. They created their first clear opportunity in the 38th minute when a free kick taken by Tewodros Tafesse was nodded down by Carlos Damtew, but his close range effort went over the bar.
Al Ittihad responded swiftly before the break with Ahmed Al Safi beating his marker and breaking into the box in the 42nd minute. His low drive was parried away by goalkeeper Biniyam, ensuring the sides went into halftime 0–0.
The hosts came out stronger after the restart. Determined to secure a vital home win, Dicha piled forward in search of a breakthrough. Yared Darza went close in the 56th minute after cutting inside and firing just wide, while Carlos once again spurned a big chance in the 77th minute when he failed to capitalize on a cross inside the area.
Meanwhile the Libyan side were content to defend deep and hit on the counter. They forced two dangerous saves from goalkeeper Biniyam in the 64th and 75th minutes, with substitute Naouf Derari denied by a brilliant stop.
Dicha pressed hard in the dying moments and had strong appeals for a penalty after the ball struck a defender’s hand inside the box, but the referee waved play on. The match ended 0–0.
The decisive second leg will be played next week in Tripoli.
