Kumasi — African Super champions, Hearts of Oak have defeated Etoile du Congo 3-1 with two late goals in a first round first-leg encounter in Kumasi as the Ghanaians open the defence of their Champions League title.

Top striker, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour scored a hat-trick as the Ghanaians came from a goal down in the 14th minute through an own-goal.

Defender Stephen Teteh put the ball into his own net as he made an effort to clear the ball from the goal line to save a shot from Mesmin Mbama.

Kuffour completed his hat-trick in the last 10 minutes of the match. The Ghanaian international, who was doubtful to play, 48 hours earlier, had equalised in the first-half before his diving header in the 82nd minute put Hearts in the lead. He completed his hat-trick two minutes later from a rebound.

The Ghanaians were unable to find their winning formula in the first-half as Etoile thwarted their scoring efforts.

But Hearts turned the heat on on the Congolese in the second-half. Etoile had almost no clear chances at all in the match as Hearts of Oak wasted several opportunities after the interval

Before scoring his two goals, Kuffour's close range shot was denied by keeper Ghislain Kinkoukoudi. Ishmael Addo and Charles Taylor also came close from free-kicks.

Taylor hit the bar with two minutes left and his stylish side-foot kick went across the face of goal. Etoile were reduced to 10 men after Armel Atshono was sent-off for stamping on Kuffour just after the second goal.

Hearts will play the return match on Sunday in Congo.

Second-leg matches of the first round were also played this weekend. Esperance of Tunisia beat Jeunesse Sportive Tenere of Niger 3-1 in Niamey to qualify, after the Tunisians had managed only a narrown 1-0 win in the first-leg.

Former champions, Raja Casablanca also qualified despite losing in Burkina Faso. The Moroccans lost to USFB 3-1, but go through thanks to their 2-0 win in the first-leg to qualify on the away goals rule.