Alexandria-based club Smouha lost on their African Champions League debut after slumping to a 1-0 defeat by Libya’s Ahli Tripoli in the first leg of the competition’s preliminary round on Friday.
Skipper Mohamed Al Ghanodi converted a penalty four minutes after the restart to help Ahli gain an advantage ahead of the second leg, which will take place in a fortnight in Alexandria.
Friday’s match was played in Tunisia due to security concerns in war-torn Libya.
Smouha finished as runners-up in the Egyptian Premier League last season after proving a tough challenger to Cairo giants Ahly, who wrapped up an eighth consecutive title.
