African club champions Al Ahly of Egypt are in danger of losing their crown after a major upset against Jeanne d'Arc on Saturday.

In their opening game of the last eight of this years Champions League, they crumpled in the face of a confident team that refused to be over-awed.

Jeanne d'Arc's were the more organized side, playing an intelligent game against the reigning champions.

They played defensively, but made good use of the chances when they came.

They took the lead in the 40th minute against the run of play.

From a corner Da Costa beat Ahly's goalkeeper Hadary at the near post to give them an unexpected lead.

In contrast Ahly were inconsistent and squandered chances.

" We played a very good tactical match," said Jeanne d'Arc's coach after the game.

"We have great respect for Ahly, but we were able to control the game's tempo. I am proud of my boys."

Ahly came back into the game in the second half, and their increased sense of purpose paid off when Abo Messalem's cross from the left found Belal at the near post.

He headed home for the equalizer.

Coaching calamity

But Bibo and Ghaly were guilty of falling into the Senegalese offside trap on too many occasions, and Ghaly especially missed some excellent chances.

Jeanne d'Arc's approach of calm containment worked again with 65 minutes on the clock.

On the break Diop slipped through Ahly's defence to set up Diaw for the winner - a well-deserved goal for the game's best player.

Many Ahly fans had come to the game to welcome their new coach, Jo Bonfrere, but there was an angry mood after what was expected to be an easy game.

It is a result that makes Bonfrere's job at a club which accepts nothing but victory hugely difficult.