An Ahly free-kick was floated into the penalty area and 33-year-old defender Gebril Begrmawi nodded the ball into the corner of the net.

The goal triggered wild celebrations in a Tunis stadium, the 'home' ground of Benghazi because post Moamer Kadhafi era violence prevents them playing in their eastern Libya base.

Winning marked a welcome return to form by Ahly after a 4-0 CAF Champions League thrashing from Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa last month relegated them to the Confederation Cup.

The Confederation Cup is the second-tier African club competition that has been dominated by north African clubs with 10 victories in 15 finals.

It was the first loss suffered by Algiers-based Hussein Dey after qualifying for the play-offs with home wins and away draws in two qualifying rounds.

Another four first legs are scheduled for Saturday, including trophy-holders Raja Casablanca from Morocco playing Namibians African Stars in Windhoek.

Raja hope to become the third club after Tunisians CS Sfaxien and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo to win back-to-back Confederation Cup titles.