Ghanaian champions Asante Kotoko put up a brave display to draw 0-0 with MC El Eulma in their CAF Champions League round 16 first leg clash on Saturday.
The Porcupine Warriors dusted themselves off recent uninspiring performances in the Ghana Premier League to hold the Algeria side at the Stade Messaoud Zougar.
Kotoko would be indebted to their goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi who pulled great saves to deny the hosts.
The two-time African champions were heavily boosted by in-coming coach David Duncan who sat on the bench for the match.
He and stop-gap coach Michael Osei hatched a plan which frustrated the Algerians.
Two years, Kotoko drew 0-0 with JSM Bejaia in the first leg and drew 1-1 at home to exit the competition on the away-goals rule.
Kotoko will host the return leg against MCEE at the Baba Yara Stadium on 5 April.