CAF Confederation Cup: Wolayta Dicha held to goalless draw by Al Ittihad

Ethiopian side Wolayta Dicha and Libyan flagbearers Al Ittihad Tripoli played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa. The home side failed to break through a resilient and disciplined Al Ittihad.

The Sodo club came to the tie with a new coach and after losing three key players during the transfer window. The first half saw the visitors creating better goal-scoring opportunities. Nawfel Zerhouni was the key figure for the visitors in the middle of the park. The Moroccan also assisted lone striker Ahmed Al-Bizi in attempting to get goals during the half.

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The Bees of Tona put up a much-improved performance in the second half. Yared Darza and Carlos Damtew missed clear-cut chances after the interval, while Biniyam Genetu was called into action to deny Zerhouni inside the area. A last-minute penalty claim by the home side for handball was waved off by the match referee, and the match ended in a draw.

Wolayta Dicha’s return to the Confederation Cup after eight years has not started in a favorable position. The Ethiopian side now faces a mounting task to defeat the North African team away in the second leg, which will take place at Tripoli Stadium next Friday.