Tusker wasted a myriad of chances and had a goal disallowed as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first leg of their CAF Champions play-off round at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Tusker had the possession and chances, but their lack of a killer instinct was the biggest undoing as they slumped to a dour draw, though the game is very much in their hands after preventing an away goal.
The brewers thought they had the lead after quarter of an hour when Jackson Macharia bundled home the ball from a Daniel Sakari long throw, but the referee whistled for a handball.
The brewers were off to a good start and were looking bright.
They survived an opportunity in the 22nd minute when Aymen Harzi found some space on the left to knick in a low shot, but keeper Brian Bwire smothered it behind for a corner, which was then cleared away.
Back to back, Tusker came close in the 29th and 31st minutes, first Ibrahim Joshua was found isolated at the back post when Boniface Muchir played a corner short to Daniel Sakari who lifted an inviting cross.
However, the Tanzanian forward bounced his header just wide.
Two minutes later, Muchiri picked the ball from distance and drove to good shooting range, but his low pile diver went inches wide.
Tusker had defender Kalos Kirenge to thank when he made a superb tackle to block Harzi as he went for goal after going past Hillary Wandera and keeper Bwire, taking the sting off his final shot and Eugene Asike clearing.
However, Wandera had to go out with an awful injury after an akward landing from the futile challenge on Harzi.
In the second half, Sfaxien sent all their players behind the ball and only attacked on counters. Tusker had the possession, but were wasteful with it when it mattered most.
Coach Robert Matano brought in some fresh legs with John Njuguna, Deogratious Ojok and Teddy Osok all coming in, but they couldn’t influence a change in scoreline.