Egypt's Arab Contractors failed to take a first-leg advantage in their Confederation Cup first round tie at home to Tunisia's Etoile Sahel following a 0-0 draw in Cairo on Wednesday.

Chances were at a premium in a cagey affair, which left the more experienced Etoile favourites to advance when they host Contractors in Sousse in the second leg.

The hosts had some tame efforts throughout while Etoile's solitary goal-scoring chance came in the 29^th minute when veteran Tunisian forward Yassine Chikhaoui headed just wide from a corner.

Contractors also had a penalty claim waved away by the referee a few minutes later after Burkinabe defender Farouck Kabore was tugged in the area. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is not used in the Confederation Cup preliminary rounds.

The Mountain Wolves are seeking to go far in Africa's secondary club competition in their first continental appearance in 15 years.

Contractors, who finished fourth in the Egyptian Premier League last season after some solid displays, made a poor start to the new campaign after losing their opening two matches.

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