Smouha, an unfancied and crisis-hit Egyptian side, staged a remarkable comeback on a dream African Champions League group-stage debut to claim a 3-2 home win over Morocco's Moghreb Tetouan after going two down in the early stages.

The Alexandria-based club, playing in an almost empty stadium due to a lengthy crowd ban in Egyptian football, seemed destined for an embarrassing defeat when a controversial goal from Mourtada Fall and a stunning strike from Ahmed Jahouh put Tetouan 2-0 up after 12 minutes.

But Ivorian substitute Hermann Kouao completed an extraordinary comeback when he netted twice in two minutes after Salah Amin had narrowed the gap six minutes past the hour mark as Smouha continued their fairytale run in Africa's elite club competition.

The modest club, who defied the odds to finish as runners up in the Egyptian Premier League last season, sacked coach Helmi Toulan a few days before hosting Tetouan after a string of poor results left them flirting with relegation.

They lead Group A with three points after four-time winners TP Mazembe of the DR Congo were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Sudanese giants El Hilal earlier on Sunday.

Smouha overcame some illustrious opponents in the preliminary rounds, defeating Libya's Ahli Tripoli, two-time winners Enyimba of Nigeria and Congo's AC Leopards.

Early goals

Smouha were on the back foot from the early stages, with Tetouan exposing their defensive frailties to move 2-0 up inside the first 12 minutes.

However, their opening goal after six minutes was dubious, with towering Senegalese defender Fall appearing in an offside position when he tapped in after a header from a Tetouan forward was parried by the keeper into his path. Television replays also suggested that he had handled the ball before slotting home.

But Smouha could find nothing to complain about six minutes later when a blistering long-range shot from Jahouh left El-Mahdi Soliman with no chance as Tetouan seemed on course of a comfortable win on the road.

The visitors were unlucky not to score at least two more goals in a first half they completely dominated, as they spurned some clear-cut chances.

Smouha came on with all guns blazing in the second period, laying siege to Tetouan's area.

They reduced the deficit on 66 minutes when forward Salah Amin's weak shot on the turn strangely eluded a crowd of defenders, struck keeper Mohamed El Yousfi's hands and looped into the net.

Ivorian marksman Kouao, who replaced ineffective striker Hani El-Egeizi in the second half, leveled the score in the 78^th minute when he fired a loose ball home after a corner caused mayhem in Tetouan's area.

He sparked wild celebrations among his teammates and technical staff members, including caretaker coach Mimi Abdel-Razek, when he netted the winner one minute later with a far-post header following an inch-perfect cross from fellow substitute Amr El-Menoufi.

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