Asec striker Kouassy (left) vies with Esperance defender Karim Touati

Tunisia's Esperance were held to a goalless draw by Asec Mimosas of the Ivory Coast in their opening Champions League Group B match on Saturday.

Esperance struck the woodwork twice with long range efforts in the first half but the Asec defence held out.

Saber Khalifa hit the post in the 18th minute and a floated cross by Hicham Aboucheroune rattled the bar before the break.

But Esperance, with four new signings, were often caught square by Asec's counter attacks, led by the pace of Ghanaian striker Idrissu Abdul Nafiu.

Holders Ahly of Egypt open their Group B campaign against Al Hilal of Sudan in Cairo on Sunday.