Following the draw, Simba will have to beat or record a draw of more than three goals against the record African champions when they clash on Tuesday in Cairo so as to make to the semis.
Tanzanian giants Simba played African champions Al Ahly to a 2-2 when the inaugural African Football League (AFL) kicked off on Friday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, retired and celebrated referee Pierluigi Collina were among those who watched the game live at the fully packed stadium.
Ahly whose two previous visits to Kwa Mkapa ended in defeats were the quickest off the mark as Reda Salim broke the deadlock in the dying minutes of the first half.
Dennis Kibu got Simba level seven minutes after restart with a diving header finish from a cross by Chota Chama.
Simba would take the lead eight minutes after leveling matters through Sadio Kanoute who headed a corner from close range.
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim popularly known as Kahraba drew Ahly level later in the game, tapping from close range after the Simba goalkeeper punched the ball into his path.
Following the draw, Simba will have to beat or record a draw of more than three goals against the record African champions when they clash on Tuesday in Cairo so as to make to the semis.
Eight of African clubs will be competing for the coveted trophy and a grand prize money of $4 million of the newly-launched tournament.
The runner-up will get $2.8 Million. The two semi-finalists will each get $1.7 Million. The quarter-finalists will each win $900 000.
Meanwhile, 16-time Angolan champions Atlético Petróleos de Luanda hosts South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, the winners of the last six South African domestic league titles in a row, at Luanda’s Estadio 11 de Novembro on Saturday.
On Sunday, Democratic Republic of Congo champions TP Mazembe will host Tunisian giants Esperance Tunisienne, also at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 18h00 GMT.
In the last of the tournament’s mouthwatering opening weekend games, Nigerian powerhouses Enyimba FC host legendary Moroccan champions Wydad Athletic Club at Uyo’s Goodwill Akpabo Stadium on Sunday in a match also kicking off on Sunday 22 October at 18h00 GMT.
The eight teams will play in a knockout format consisting of a quarter final, semi final and final.
Each tie will be played over two-legs, on a home and away basis, with the semi-finals set to take place between 29 October and 1 November.