Mohamed Tougai converted a 73rd-minute penalty to give Esperance of Tunisia a 1-0 victory over Al Ahly of Egypt on Sunday in a high-profile Caf Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
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The Algerian defender calmly sent his spot kick into the middle of the net after defender Mohamed Hany handled a cross from Ibrahima Keita in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis.
Esperance were first to threaten in the opening half, with the outstretched right foot of Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir preventing France-born Florian Danho from scoring.
Ahly came close on 21 minutes when Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said used one hand to palm a curling goal-bound shot from Mahmoud Trezeguet over the crossbar.
Shobeir foiled physically imposing Danho again in added time at the end of the opening half, blocking his goal attempt after the pace of 19-year-old Burkinabe Jack Diarra created a chance.
The first half ended goalless, which was unsurprising after typically cagey fare from two clubs renowned for defensive strength.
Brazilian Yaw Sasse angered several Esperance teammates early in the second half by shooting straight at Shobeir when they believed they were better placed to score.
Ben Said then had to make two saves in quick succession, parrying a shot from Moroccan Achraf Bencharki, then stopping a header from Emam Ashour.
After Tougai netted, Sasse wasted a great chance to double the lead, blazing over from point-blank range after being set up by substitute Kouceila Boualia.
RENAISSANCE BERKANE DRAW WITH AL HILAL
Meanwhile, in a match that kicked off on Saturday and finished on Sunday, Renaissance Berkane of Morocco snatched an added-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at home against Al Hilal of Sudan.
Sustained Hilal protests after full-back Steve Ebuela fouled Hamza El Moussaoui led to the spot kick being delayed seven minutes before Mounir Chouiar equalised.
Congolese Ebuela was initially booked by the South African referee, who, after reviewing the incident at the VAR monitor, changed his decision to a red card.
The sending-off infuriated numerous Hilal players, who repeatedly pushed opponents, leading to several yellow cards.
It was a stormy end to a first leg that became increasingly niggly in the closing stages with plastic bottles hurled onto the pitch after a Hilal foul.
Hilal had stunned Berkane by taking a 13th-minute lead through Abdelrazig Omer, who fired past veteran goalkeeper Anas Zniti from close range.
It was the fifth goal of the Champions League campaign for the 32-year-old midfielder, bringing him level with six others sharing first place in the Golden Boot race.
Hilal are challenging for the premier African club prize despite being unable to play at home due to the civil war in Sudan. They will host the return match on March 22 in Rwanda.