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CAF Champions League titleholders Pyramids of Egypt played to a 1-1 draw against Insurance of Ethiopia in the first leg of their final qualifying round match in Cairo.
Pyramids took an early lead after 11 minutes thanks to a goal from Mahmoud Mayele, a contender for the African Player of the Year award. Insurance, however, secured a surprising draw when Biruk Mulugeta equalised seven minutes from time.
The Ethiopian side had ceded its home advantage for the first leg because its home ground did not meet CAF standards. Pyramids will host the return match at the same stadium on Thursday to determine who advances to the group stage.
Meanwhile, fellow African Player of the Year nominee, Oussama Lamlioui, saw his club, Renaissance Berkane (winners of the CAF Confederation Cup), also draw 1-1 away against Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya.
Earlier, former champions Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Esperance (Tunisia) secured their places in the group phase with comfortable home victories, beating Remo Stars (Nigeria) 7-1 on aggregate and Rahimo (Burkina Faso) 4-0 overall, respectively.
Algerian club Mouloudia Alger also advanced after a 0-0 home draw against Cameroon newcomers Colombe, winning the tie on the away goal rule (1-1 aggregate).
