A stoppage-time goal from Anice Badri prevented holders Esperance from slumping to a surprising opening loss in the African Champions League group stage as they salvaged a 1-1 draw away to Guinea's Horoya on Friday.

Horoya, who reached the Champions League quarters last season, took the lead in the 67^th minute when Ocansey Mandela escaped the attention of his marker and cut ahead of the keeper to head home a floated cross from close range.

Tunisian giants Esperance were not to be defeated, however, as Badri, one of the heroes of their memorable 3-0 win over Egypt's record winners Ahly in last season's final, came to their rescue with a 93^rd-minute goal.

He fired an angled shot into the far bottom corner from a difficult angle after running onto a through pass as Esperance and Horoya shared spoils.

Zimbabwe's FC Platinum and South Africa's Orlando Pirates meet in to the other Group B game on Saturday.

In Group A, Nigerian side Lobi Stars claimed a 2-1 home win over 2016 winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

Anthony Laffor fired Sundowns in front in the 38^th minute but Lobi Stars turned the match on its head, with Yaya Kone converting a penalty on the stroke of halftime and Mathias Martins adding a second in the 53^rd minute.

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