Tunisia’s Espérance maintained their spot at the top of their CAF Champions League group with an entertaining 2-2 draw against DR Congo’s AS Vita at the Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on Saturday night.

The single point sees Espérance topping Group C with nine points from five matches, followed in second place by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns on eight points after beating Ethiopia’s Saint George 1-0 earlier on Saturday.

Saint George are third in the group with five points while the draw for AS Vita sees them propping up the bottom of the standings with three points.

The Tunisian side got off to a fast start and took the lead in the 11th minute courtesy of a strike from Taha Khenissi.

The home side, though, were not going to go down without a fight and began mounting pressure on the Espérance goal.

AS Vita were rewarded for their efforts in the 24th minute when a shot from Tady Etekiama drew them level.

Six minutes later Tady Etekiama found his second of the game and gave AS Vita the lead with a cool finish after a well-worked passing move from his side.

Espérance tried to hit back before the break, but went into half time trailing by a goal.

Ten minutes into the second half the home side were reduced to ten men following a second yellow card for Makwekwe Kupa who gave away a penalty inside the box with a poorly timed challenge.

Taha Khenissi stepped up for Espérance and made no mistake from the spot-kick to level matters at 2-2.

AS Vita sat back in defence after going a man down and were content to hold on for a draw.

Espérance pushed forward in search of the winner, but were poor in front of goal and had to settle for a point.

AS Vita are in action again in the Champions League next week Sunday when they travel to Mamelodi Sundowns while Espérance will host Saint George on the same day.