TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo rekindled memories of former glory with a 2-0 second-round win over Moroccan visitors Raja Casablanca in the African Champions League.

The club from the southern city of Lubumbashi, the only one to successfully defend the trophy, have lived in the shadow of Kinshasa giants Vita and Daring Club Motema Pembe for several decades.

And a rare journey into African competition last year came to an abrupt halt in the second round of the CAF Cup for national league runners-up when they crashed 5-2 against JS Kabylie of Algeria.

But the margin of the first-leg victory over three-time champions Raja and the fact that they did not concede a goal offers the Congolese a realistic chance of advancing to the lucrative mini-league stage.

An away goal in north-west Africa over the weekend of May 26-27 could determine the fate of Mazembe as it would leave the Moroccan Green Devils needing four to qualify for the eight-team group phase.

Two quick goals

Lubumbashi was staging its first major fixture since 14 spectators died last month in a stampede during a club derby involving Mazembe, and the game passed without incident.

After holding out for 52 minutes, Raja conceded two goals within four minutes as Kanku Molekelayi and Seoul Kawanga struck for the 1967 and 1968 African champions.

Other former champions had mixed results with Al-Ahly of Egypt trouncing Saint Michel United of Seychelles 5-0 in Cairo while Esperance of Tunisia slumped 2-1 to Tusker of Kenya in Nairobi.

Experienced midfielder Alaa Ibrahim led the Al-Ahly goal charge with two goals during the second half when the local team stamped their authority over the internationally raw Saints.

Hady Khashaba, another player with considerable African experience, Khaled Bibo and Walid Salaheddine were the other marksmen for a club that last lifted the trophy that symbolises African supremacy 14 years ago.

Tunisians shocked

Japheth Waweru drilled an injury-time free kick into the Esperance net to offer Tusker some hope ahead of a return match at the intimidating Al-Menzah Stadium in Tunis.

Franklin Obare put the Kenyans ahead midway through the first half and young Tunisian striker Ali Zitouni levelled for the legendary Blood and Gold with 51 minutes gone.

Petro Atletico of Angola thumped Etoile du Congo 4-1 after the conquerors of reigning champions Hearts of Oak took a 34th minute lead.

The home side hit back with a hat-trick in 23 minutes by Lopes.

The eight ties all produced home wins with ASEC of Ivory Coast, SC Villa of Uganda, Sundowns of South Africa and Al-Merreikh of Sudan the other victors.