Nigeria's representatives in this year's CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars yesterday struggled to hold six time champions, Al Ahly of Egypt to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the semi-final match played at the Dipo Dina stadium Ijebu-Ode.

The host had to play catch up throughout the encounter as they had to keep coming from behind until they leveled scores on the stroke of time.

A Ahly opened scoring in the 18 minute through Gedo whose superb finish from the edge of box kept the visitors in front.

And things went from bad to worse for the hosts, as Hamdi curled the ball over Moses Ocheje from a tight angle for the second goal on 30 minutes after an exchange of passes with Ahmed Shedid.

But Sunshine Stars gave themselves a lifeline four minutes later when Cameroonian midfielder, Tamen Medrano cut inside Wael Gomaa to curl the ball into the top left corner of Ahly goalkeeper, Sherif Ekramy.

Hamdi almost put the game beyond Sunshine Stars but he blazed his chance over the post.

Inside the remaining 20 minutes, Sunshine Stars Olorundare stepped up to score from the spot after Mohamed Naguib's reckless tackle on Ajani. This brought scores to 2-2 on 73rd minute.

But within seconds, Ahly were back in front when Gedo's low drive from inside the area beat a sprawling Ocheje. However, on 84 minutes, Sunshine Stars' left-back, Precious Osasco curled a 25-yard free kick past Ekramy to put the game at 3-3.