Egyptian side Zamalek defeated Djibouti’s AS Port 2-1 in Cairo in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the CAF Champions League, beginning its bid for a sixth title.

Mohamed Shehata opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Angolan forward Chico Banza doubled Zamalek’s lead with a header in the 37th minute.

AS Port, making its debut in the competition, pulled one back through Mahdi Hussein Mahbi in the 82nd minute but could not find an equaliser.

Both legs will be played in Cairo because Djibouti lacks a stadium that meets international standards. The return match is scheduled for September 12.

Zamalek last won the Champions League in 2002. It has since reached two finals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and Al Ahly in 2020.

Elsewhere, Algeria’s JS Saoura beat Guinea’s Horia 1-0, while Libya’s Asswehly defeated Zanzibar’s KVZ by the same score.