Ethiopia Premier League champions St George began their Caf Champions League campaign on a positive note by edging out Al Hilal Omdurman 2-1 at Bahir Dar Stadium.
The horsemen started on a high note as Cherenet came close to an opener in the early exchanges with a grass-cutting shot from the edge of the box that missed narrowly wide.
Cherenet Gugsa was a source of trouble for the Sudanese defense and caused panic among the visitors in the fourth minute with a dangerously floated corner which the alert keeper punched out for another corner.
St George eventually drew first blood on the seventh after Gugsa guided home the ball by Kenok with a powerful shot from outside the box.
Al Hilal got into the game midway through the first stanza but they could not maintain rhythm in their attacks and struggled to combine upfront, as forwards Lilepo Makabi and Abdelrahman were isolated.
Gugso was at it again in the 29th minute after Henok managed to pick out Guatoch, the midfielder then teed up Gugso, who finished into an empty net.
Duro Agoro came close for the horsemen in the 34th minute when he received a ball inside the box and did well to dodge two challenges before unleashing a thunderous shot which unfortunately came off the woodwork.
St George’s goalkeeper Charles Lukwago largely untested until the 44th minute when he was called upon to deal with Nono Vombola’s effort.
The visitors came into the match with more vigor in the second half and Alyated almost found the back of the net in the 57th minute, but his effort was cleared by Frimpong.
Vidinho tested Likwago with a shot from distance in the 62nd minute, but St George’s number one was equal to the effort.
Iessa Fofana came to Al Hilal’s rescue in the 70th minute, this time to deny Claude Singone from close range, after the midfielder was played through by Ramadan.
Al Hilal found a consolation ten minutes to the match when second-half substitute Abdul Raouf later with a stunning volley past Lukwago.
