Alexandria-based club Smouha lost on their African Champions League debut after slumping to a 1-0 defeat by Libya's Ahli Tripoli in the first leg of the competition's preliminary round on Friday. Skipper Mohamed Al Ghanodi converted a penalty four minutes after the restart to help Ahli gain an advantage ahead of the second leg, which will take place in a fortnight in Alexandria. Friday's match was played in Tunisia due to security concerns in war-torn Libya. Smouha finished as runners-up in the Egyptian Premier League last season after proving a tough challenger to Cairo giants Ahly, who wrapped up an eighth consecutive title. This season's league competition was suspended indefinitely after 20 Zamalek fans were killed last Sunday before a game against ENPPI at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo. The supporters died of stampede and suffocation after being tear-gassed by security forces. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/122966.aspx