- Solomon Banga Bidjeme was the only foreign player in the Al Shorta starting XI that played a 1-1 draw against Al Nasr on Monday
- The former Cotonsport and Colombe defender lasted the full duration of the game against Sadio Mane
- Al Nasr captain Cristiano Ronaldo missed the game but Al Shorta deserved their plaudits and point
Al Nassr struggled in the absence of 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday largely thanks to the defensive contributions of experienced Cameroonian sweeper Solomon Banga Bidjeme in the heart of the Al Shorta backline.
The Saudi Pro League club failed to break down Banga and Al Shorta despite having Sadio Mane in their ranks. The side kicked off the revamped Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
However, the hosts drew level 10 minutes later.
A mix-up at the back between new signings Salem Al Najdi and former RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan allowed Al Shorta forward Mohammed Dawood to steal in and send a superb effort high past Bento in the Al Nassr goal.
The two goals was all the fans that made it to the ground had to savour as despite Al Nasr creating a battery of chances Banga and co defended properly to prevent the visitors from scoring again.
The game finished 1-1 to the satisfaction of the hosts while the visitors were dissapointed for being unable to do more given the quality in their ranks.
The new format of the AFC Champions League features 24 teams – 12 from West Asia and 12 from East Asia.
With each club playing four matches at home and four away, the top eight in each side of the draw progress to the knockout stages early next year.
It is a debut campaign for Banga in the competition. The former Intermediate Lions of Cameroon skipper and 2021 African Nations Championship semi-finalist has quickly settled into life in Iraq.
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