Ahly players (Photo: Reuters)
Title holders Ahly of Egypt, who had already qualified for the African Champions League semis, went through as Group A winners after playing out a 0-0 draw at South Africa's Orlando Pirates, who joined them in the last four.
Ahly failed to avenge the 3-0 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Pirates last month but still managed to get the job done, avoiding a tricky semi-final tie against Tunisia's Esperance whom they defeated in last year's final to win a record-extending seventh Champions League title.
The Red Devils finished their group stage campaign with 11 points, three ahead of Pirates. Zamalek, Ahly's Cairo rivals, crushed Congo's AC Leopards 4-1 as both sides finished with seven points each.
Ahly will face Cameroon's Coton Sport, whom they defeated in the 2008 final, in the Champions League semifinal.
Chances were few and far between in an evenly-balanced tie in Johannesburg.
Ahly created a couple of goalscoring chances, with striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher heading just over the bar in the first half and winger Walid Soliman sending a half-volley just wide with the goal at his mercy after the break.
The visitors also had to thank in-form goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy for producing two superb saves to prevent his side from falling behind, including blocking a point-blank header from Daine Klate in the dying minutes.
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