Former winners Esperance put up a good fight against Ethiopian champions, Saint George, to gain a point in front of a packed Addis Ababa Stadium on Tuesday despite finishing the game with ten men.

Midfielder Ghilane Chaalali was sent off on 64 minutes but still the Blood and Gold held on and returned to their base with a point.

The result leaves Esperance at summit of Group C on four points, whilst group stage debutants Saint George have two points also from two games.

The Ethiopians welcomed back star striker Salahdin Said and midfielder Menetesnote Adane from suspension, although their Dutch coach Mart Nooij missed out through illness.

The first 25 minutes of the duel saw a cautious approach from both sides. The hosts were the first to pull the trigger as Adane struck a long range effort which Esperance goalie Moez Ben Cherifia collected calmly in the 18th minute.

Five minutes later, Chaalali wasted what was his side’s best chance... after shooting wide from the edge of the homers penalty area.

At the stroke of half time, former Ethiopia international Zerihun Tadele, who replaced injured goalkeeper Robert Odongkara earlier in the game, pulled off a great save to deny Chaalali from a free-kick.

Saint George resumed stronger spurred on by the boisterous crowd at the stadium. Veteran striker Adane Girma shot wide after Said put him through just four minutes into the second half.

Minutes later, Burkinabe winger Abdoul Zoko struck wide of the near post before Said headed wide from close range. The homers maintained control and four minutes past the hour mark, Chaalali, by far Esperance’s best player, was shown the marching off orders after a second yellow card.

Despite the numerical advantage, the Ethiopians domination faded away and were let off the hook when a Taha Yassine Khenissi header missed target narrowly.

In the 72nd minute, Ben Cherifia came to Esperance’s rescue by denying Prince Waongo before stopping Zoko’s curler in stoppage time.

Holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa are guest of AS Vita of DR Congo in the other Group C match later on Wednesday.