TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Club Africain of Tunisia drew 1-1 on Saturday in a CAF Champions League qualifier between former title-holders.
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Kazema Baso put hosts Mazembe ahead after 38 minutes in the southern city of Lubumbashi, only for the visitors to equalise one minute later through Burkina Faso international Alain Kante.
Drawing in central Africa established the Tunis club as slight favourites to win the return match on 25 October and qualify for the group phase.
Club Africain hammered Uganda opponents SC Villa 7-3 on aggregate in 1991 to become the first African champions from Tunisia.
But they have consistently disappointed in African campaigns since, apart from 2011 when finishing CAF Confederation Cup runners-up.
Mazembe have twice achieved back-to-back titles in the premier African club competition. The most recent of five Champions League triumphs came 11 years ago.
South African club Orlando Pirates look set to reach the group phase after building a 1-0 first leg lead away to Namibians African Stars.
Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal after 75 minutes in a match played in the Botswanan capital Gaborone because there is no international-standard stadium in Namibia.
Malagasy club CFFA opted to play both legs against Young Africans in Tanzania because the island nation lacks a CAF-approved stadium.
Young Africans took full advantage of playing an away match at home by winning 4-0 in Dar es Salaam.
Senegalese Cheikh Toure scored the only goal of the first half and Maxi Nzengeli completed the rout just before the hour mark.