JOHANNESBURG: Record eight-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt launched their 2017 campaign with a 1-0 home win over Wits of South Africa in Cairo Saturday.
Centreback Ahmed Hegazy, who starred when Egypt finished Africa Cup of Nations runners-up last month, scored the winner on 57 minutes.
The former Fiorentina defender soared at a corner and nodded past veteran goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs in the first leg of a last-32 tie.
Former African title-holders Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco also used home advantage to build leads ahead of return matches next weekend.
Ferjani Sassi put Esperance ahead against Horoya of Guinea in Rades and restored the lead after Burkinabe Yacouba Mando levelled before half-time.
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef added a third goal for the two-time African champions with 15 minutes left.
Liberian William Jebor scored late to earn Wydad a 1-0 win in Rabat over Mounana of Gabon, who had David Massamba sent off just before half-time.
Wydad, semi-finals losers to Zamalek of Egypt last season, squandered numerous scoring chances.
On a profitable day for north African clubs, 2015 Champions League runners-up USM Alger of Algeria defeated Rail Kadiogo of Burkina Faso 2-0 in Algiers.
Oussama Darfalou scored just after coming off the bench midway through the second half and Amir Sayoud added a late second goal.
Young Africans of Tanzania and Zanaco of Zambia drew 1-1 in Dar es Salaam with Simon Msuva putting the hosts ahead and Ghanaian Attram Kwame equalising.
