Sfaxien, who qualified after finishing second behind Ahli in Group A, looked uninspired and were lucky to escape with a draw after the hosts missed several golden scoring opportunities.

They need any victory in the second leg at home after two weeks to reach the finals for the first time in their history.

But the former Tunisian champions couldn't maintain their record of scoring in every Champions League game this season.

Defenders Wissem El Abdi and Haitham Mrabet will miss the second leg due to an automatic one-match suspension after picking up two yellow cards.

Defending champions Ahli will host ASEC Mimosas in the first leg of the second semis tie on Sunday in Cairo.