African Player of the Year award contender Mahmoud Mayele scored for CAF Champions League title-holders Pyramids of Egypt in a 1-1 qualifying draw against Insurance of Ethiopia on Sunday.
His goal after 11 minutes was cancelled by Biruk Mulugeta on 83 minutes in the first leg of a final round qualifier in Cairo.
Insurance exceeded expectations by drawing as Pyramids have been impressive in international competitions lately, winning the CAF Super Cup and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
The Ethiopians also ceded home advantage in the first leg as their ground in Addis Ababa did not meet CAF approval.
Pyramids will host the return match at the same stadium on Thursday with a place in the November 3 group draw in Johannesburg on the line.
Mayele scored nine goals last season as Pyramids won the premier African club competition in only their second appearance, beating Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
Congolese Mayele and fellow forward Oussama Lamlioui from Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane are the two Africa-based contenders among 10 stars shortlisted for the African award.
Berkane, debuting in the Champions League after winning the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup a record-equalling three times, drew 1-1 away to Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya in another first leg.
Senegalese Paul Bassene netted for Berkane on 69 minutes and Angolan Agostinho Paciencia, popularly known as Mabululu, equalised three minutes later.
Pyramids and Berkane were unable to play their first legs last weekend as they met for the Super Cup, with a Mayele goal dividing the clubs.
Former champions Sundowns and Esperance of Tunisia won second legs at home to complete comfortable passages to the group phase.
Sundowns beat Remo Stars of Nigeria 2-0 in Pretoria for a 7-1 aggregate victory while Esperance overcame Rahimo of Burkina Faso 3-0 in Rades to qualify 4-0 overall.
Another former title-holder, Mouloudia Alger of Algeria, were surprisingly held 0-0 at home by African newcomers Colombe of Cameroon, but advanced on the away goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate tie.
