Reigning African champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa began their title defence on a low note after failing to beat Ethiopia’s St. George at home.
The new era of the CAF Champions League started with no win away from home as Maghreb sides showed superiority over their opponents.
Group A
Former champions Etoile Du Sahel were the biggest winners on the day winning 5-0 against Ferroviaro Beira.
The Tunisians won 5-0 against the Mozambican side to take an early and deserved lead in the group.
In the other group game, Ugandan goalkeeper Jamal Salim Magoola was massive as Al Merriekh held rivals Al Hilal in a 1-1 draw.
The hosts took the lead in the first half which they dominated and tested Jamal in goal but the Ugandan was up to task.
They improved in the second half and got a leveller to start the campaign with a point.
Etoile Du Sahel now leads the group with 3 points followed by two Sudan sides on a point whilst Ferroviaro Beira are bottom with no point.
Group B
In a group that has three Maghreb sides, USM Alger of Algeria won 3-0 against Al Ahly Tripoli of Algeria to set pace.
Zamalek of Egypt also won 2-0 of Zimbabwe in Cairo and now sit second, 3 points, same as USM Alger but with an inferior goal difference.
Al Ahly Tripoli are bottom of the group with no point, same as CAPS United but the former has conceded more goals.
Group C
Tunisia’s Esperance of Tunisia were the only winners in this group beating DR Congo’s AS Vita 3-1 in Tunis.
The DR Congo side finished the match with a man less after having a player sent off.
The match which Ugandan interest was at the Lucas ‘Masterpiece’ Moripe in Pretoria where Sundowns of South Africa played to a goalless draw with St. George of Ethiopia.
Robert Odongkara and Yasser Mugerwa, two Ugandan internationals featured for the visitors but compatriot, Denis Masinde Onyango was rested by the hosts.
Group D
The group saw one win by Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca that beat visiting Coton Sport of Cameroon 2-0 in Casablanca.
The other match saw Zanaco; the Zambian champions frustrate former winners and last year’s finalists Zamalek of Egypt to a barren draw.
Match day One Results
Group A:
Etoile Du Sahel (Tunisia) 5-0 Ferroviaro Beira (Mozambique)
Al Hilal (Sudan) 1-1 Al Merriekh (Sudan)
Group B
USM Alger (Algeria) 3-0 Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya)
Zamalek (Egypt) 2-0 CAPS United (Zimbabwe)
Group C
Esperance (Tunisia) 3-1 AS Vita Club (DR Congo)
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) 0-0 Saint George (Ethiopia)
Group D
Al Ahly (Egypt) 0-0 Zanaco (Zambia)
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) 2-0 Coton Sport (Cameroon)
