Malians Real Bamako shocked AC Leopards 2-1 in Congo Brazzaville at the weekend to throw Group A of the CAF Confederation Cup wide open.

Ali Badra Sylla put the visitors ahead on 33 minutes and Cesaire Gandze levelled before half-time at Stade Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Real regained the lead on the hour through Souleymane Diarra and withstood late pressure to achieve their first victory in four group outings.

Leopards came closest to levelling when Boris Moubhio struck the woodwork, and Gandze was just off target after a goalmouth scramble.

The Malians became only the second club after Tunisians CS Sfaxien to win a Confederation Cup match in western city Dolisie.

Leopards had won 10, drawn four and lost once in 15 previous home matches in the second-tier African club competition.

Cameroonians Coton Sport, who defeated Ivorian visitors ASEC Mimosas 2-1, top Group A with 10 points from four matches.

Leopards, who defeated Malians Djoliba in the 2012 final, have five points, Real four and former African champions ASEC two.

Any result other than a Real win in Congo Brazzaville would have assured experienced CAF campaigners Coton of a semi-finals slot.

Now the club from northern city Garoua could miss out if they lose their last two games and Real and Leopards collect maximum points.

Coton host Leopards and ASEC are at home to Real in the early-August penultimate mini-league round.

Egyptians Al-Ahly pipped Ivorians Sewe San Pedro 1-0 in Cairo in Group B and Zambians Nkana edged Tunisians Etoile Sahel 4-3 in Kitwe.

Ahly, winners of a record 18 CAF titles, have eight points, Sahel five, Nkana four and win-less Sewe three.