Defending champion Al Ahly has been held to a fortunate goalless draw by CA Bizerte in their CAF Champions League second round, first-leg encounter in Tunisia on Sunday.

The Egyptians have goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami to thank for the draw after he made a number of fine saves. Bizerte star Larbi Jabeur also had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

Esperance, who have made the last three Champions League finals, winning in 2011, were also held scoreless by Algerian side JSM Bejaia.

The Tunisians were unfortunate not to get an away goal though as Youcef Belaïli hit the crossbar early on, and when he did have the ball in the back of the net it was ruled out for offside.

Zamalek have it all to do after they could only manage a 1-1 home draw with Ethiopian side St George. Umed Ukuri put the visitors ahead in Cairo, before Abdoulaye Cissé equalised for the White Knights with seven minutes remaining.

Cameroon side CotonSport were in rampant form as they beat Stade Malien 3-0 and might have won by an even greater margin after missing a host of chances.

Promising rising star Yougouda Kada had the home team ahead and the midfielder added a second before halftime. Striker Ismaël Bang made the scoreline more emphatic with 12 minutes to go.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Sewe Sports hold the upper hand after they drew 1-1 with FUS Rabat in Morocco. The host went ahead with 20 minutes to play through Brahim El Bahri, but Kévin Zougoula equalised 10 minutes later for what could be a vital away goal.

Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Recreativo Libolo of Angola, while Congo champions AC Leopards won 3-1 at home to Algerian side Entente Setif.

Orlando Pirates collected perhaps the win of the round of matches though as they beat much-vaunted TP Mazembe 3-1, boosted by a dubious late penalty award that was converted by Collins Mbesuma. The Zambian forward and Nigerian star Onyekachi Okonkwo got the other goals, while Patou Kabangu netted for the Congolese.

The return legs are on the weekend of May 3-5, while the winners qualify for the group phase of the Champions League starting in July and the losers drop down to the African Confederation Cup.

Defending champions Al Ahly have been held to a fortunate goalless draw by CA Bizerte in their CAF Champions League second round, first-leg encounter in Tunisia on Sunday.