A penalty from debutant Cheikh Oumar Dabo gave JS Kabylie of Algeria a winning start to their opening African Champions League Group A match as they edged Ghana's Asante Kotoko 1-0 in Algiers on Sunday.

The goal came in the 12th minute after Malian-born Dabo, recently bought from Nadi Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, had been brought down in a wild lunge by Asante Kotoko defender Godfred Yeboah.

Dabo converted at the second attempt as he was ordered to retake the kick by South African referee Jerome Damon, who ruled players had encroached on the first kick.

The visitors found the back of the net just after halftime but were pulled back for offside.

JS Kabylie's Benin-born striker Wassiou Oladikpikpo had two chances in the final 15 minutes but missed the first and saw the second saved.

JSK share top spot in the group with Tunisia's CS Sfaxien, who upset holders Al Ahli with a 1-0 win in Sfax on Saturday.

Also on Sunday, Enyimba of Nigeria won the opening game in Group B with a 2-0 away triumph over Hearts of Oak of Ghana in Obuasi.