( CNN ) -- Egyptian soccer club Al Ahly snatched a late equalizer against Tunisia 's titleholders Esperance on Sunday to leave the African Champions League final in the balance . The Cairo club will travel to Tunis for the second leg on November 17 thankful for the 88th-minute leveler from substitute El-Sayed Hamdy , who canceled out a valuable away goal by Waleed Hichri . The match was played at an army stadium near Alexandria due to the security problems faced since 74 fans died in February 's Port Said tragedy during a match involving Al Ahly and Al Masry . Some 20,000 spectators were allowed to attend -- only the second time since the deaths that a match in Egypt has not been played behind closed doors . Read more : Egyptian ultras seek justice for deaths . The Egyptian league has been suspended since February as the club 's militant fans -- known as `` ultras '' -- have promised to disrupt matches in protest against the lack of action taken by the authorities . An inquiry into the Port Said deaths is ongoing . A minute 's silence in honor of the dead preceded a goalless first half on Sunday , but Esperance took the lead five minutes after the break when Tunisia international defender Hichri netted from Khalil Chamam 's corner . Al Ahly , in the final for the first time since 2008 's record sixth title success , were denied by a superb point-blank save by goalkeeper Ben Chrifia until Ahmed Fathy set up striker Hamdy . `` I 'm satisfied with that draw , the match was very difficult so it felt like a win for us today , '' Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry told reporters . `` The performance of Ahly players tonight was affected by the long football stoppage in Egypt . It was also difficult for us to arrange friendly games lately . ''
First leg of African Champions League final ends in 1-1 draw in Egypt . Titleholders Esperance take the lead through defender Waleed Hichri . Substitute striker El-Sayed Hamdy equalizes late ahead of trip to Tunisia . Match was played in Alexandria not Ahly 's Cairo ground due to ongoing security fears .