Egypt’s Al Ahly off to winning start

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.