Star striker Fiston Mayele scored twice as Pyramids of Egypt began their CAF Champions League title defence with a 2-0 away victory over APR of Rwanda in Kigali on Wednesday.
Congolese Mayele struck after 50 and 86 minutes of the first round first leg qualifier at a stadium named after deceased Brazilian superstar Pele.
Careless passing by the home team led to both goals, and the result virtually assures Pyramids of progress to the second and final qualifying round. The return match is in Cairo on Sunday.
Mayele, the leading scorer in the premier African club competition last season with nine goals, displayed clinical finishing to punish the APR errors.
The 31-year-old held off the challenges of three opponents to open the scoring with a shot that flew into the net at the near post.
Abdelrahman Magdy set up the first goal and was also the architect of the second, sending Mayele through to score with a low shot into the far corner.
This is the third consecutive season that the clubs have met in a Champions League qualifier, with Pyramids winning 6-1 on aggregate in 2023 and 4-2 last year.
Insurance FC of Ethiopia await APR or Pyramids in the second round. The first leg is scheduled for October 17-19, with the return match the following weekend.