By Steve Vickers BBC Sport, Zimbabwe

Amazulu hope to become the first Zimbabwean team to reach the group stage since 1999

Amazulu of Zimbabwe had a tough introduction to continental football with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Maxaquene of Mozambique in a Champions League preliminary round first-leg match.

The hosts, featuring national team midfielders Esrom Nyandoro and Ronald Sibanda, took the lead after 20 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box by Vusa Nyoni.

But they were reduced to 10 men eight minutes later when goalkeeper Dominic Sithole handled the ball outside the penalty area.

Alfredo Mabui equalised for Maxaquene a minute before half-time, but they failed to hold things together in the second half.

Sageby Sandaka headed in a cross from Nyoni in the 49th minute, with fellow striker Norman Komani wrapping things up in the 75th.

We're very pleased with our debut in Africa Amazulu manager Felix Matsika

"We're very pleased with our debut in Africa, and we'll be ready for them in the second leg," said Amazulu team manager Felix Matsika.

Recently-appointed Mozambique national coach Armando Salvado took charge of Maxaquene for the tie.

Maxaquene complained to Caf about poor treatment from their opponents and had threatened to boycott the game.

They alleged that they had to sleep on the floor of a lodge on Friday night and claimed they were inadequately fed.

Amazulu won their first-ever league title last year and are aiming to become the first Zimbabwean side to reach the group stage of the Champions League since 1999.

In the Confederation Cup, SC Savanne of Mauritius were held to a 0-0 by Zimbabwe's Dynamos.

Dynamos only managed to travel for the match after getting a loan of $27,000 from the government.

In other first-leg Confederation Cup games played this weekend, ASC Entente of Mauritania beat Etoile Guinea 2-0, Djoliba of Mali earned a 1-0 win over Gambia'a Wallidan, while Tunisia's Stade Tunisien thrashed Senegal's Thies 6-0.

Mogas 90 of Benin Republic earned a slim 1-0 win over Al Nassr of Libya, Sudan's El Mereikh got a similar home win over Zambia's Green Buffaloes, while Saint Louis of Seychelles earned a 2-2 draw with Madagascar's Transfoot.

Kenya's Chemelil Sugar lost 2-0 at home to Tanzania's Mtibwa and Omnisport of the Ivory Coast beat Olympic FC of Niger 3-2.