Egyptian giants Al Ahly claimed a 2-1 win against Raja Casablanca in their CAF Champions League first leg at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo late on Saturday.
The defending champions raced into a two-goal lead midway through the first half courtesy of an Amr Soleya penalty and a strike by Hassan El Shehat.
Despite a dominant performance by the home side, Raja pulled a goal back against the run of play shortly before halftime through Mohamed Azrida.
Al Ahly were, however, unlucky not to increase their advantage after Raja were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark following Marouane Hadhoudi’s dismissal and Soleya missed a penalty shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, 2016 winners Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first defeat of this season’s Champions League campaign going down 2-1 away to Petro Atletico in Luanda.
Sundowns went ahead through Lyle Lakay in just the sixth minute but Petro Atletico leveled through Tiago Azulao 10 minutes later and Yano then put the Angolan side ahead on the stroke of halftime.
Sundowns thought they had grabbed an equalizer but Neo Maema’s effort in injury time was ruled out for offside.
Meanwhile, Wydad Casablanca edged CR Belouizdad 1-0 away in Algiers despite playing for nearly the entire match with 10 men after defender Jalal Daoudi was sent off less than 10 minutes into the game.
Guy Mbenza netted the only goal of the game shortly after the restart to hand the Moroccans an unlikely win despite the home side’s dominance.
Elsewhere, Esperance Tunis was held to a goalless draw by ES Sétif in Algeria.
The second leg will take place on April 23.
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)