Etoile Sahel needed to come from behind to secure success in the CAF Champions League at the weekend, with the win providing a much-needed boost for the Tunisian side's morale.

In the meeting between the only two previous winners of Africa's top club competition who stand a chance of winning this year's title, the Tunisians overcame their Congolese visitors TP Mazembe Englebert 2-1 to secure their first points of the competition. In doing so, they ensured that there is now a four-way tie in the group's standings.

On Sunday, Heartland FC claimed their first points with a 3-1 victory over Monomotapa of Zimbabwe, meaning that all the Group B matches have now gone to form. But in Group A, both Al Hilal of Sudan and the Kano Pillars have emerged as the prime candidates, gaining four points out of a possible six. The Sudanese side set the tone with a 1-0 home triumph over Zesco United of Zambia on Friday while Pillars beat Al Merreikh of Sudan 3-1 on Saturday.

With Al Ahly out of the competition already, Etoile Sahel's success in the 2007 CAF Champions League has made them the favourites for the 2009 edition, but the truth is that they are a much changed side two years on since their continental success. New coach Lotfi Rhim has a relatively inexperienced side and it showed in the opening Group B game in Harare a fortnight ago, when Etoile conceded a goal in the first two minutes and went on to lose to Monomotapa.

Home success were desperately sought in Sousse on Saturday by Etoile but again they found themselves behind when Luyeye Mpete netted after just 13 minutes for Mazembe, the team who were African champions 40 years ago. A penalty successfully converted by Ammar Jemel brought Etoile back into the game before half-time and then Aymen Abdennour made sure of the three points with a 63rd minute winner.

Heartland scored in the second minute in Sunday's match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, as the home side gained the perfect start against their Zimbabwean opponents. A brilliant long range strike from Uche Agba made it 2-0 for the Nigerians, forcing Monomotapa into early changes to try and reduce the deficit. The third goal came just after the half-time interval for Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, but Daniel Kamunenga did pull a goal back for Monomotapa, whose play in the last half hour brought warm applause from the rival fans.

On Friday, an early goal from Al Hilal defender Osama Altaewon proved to be the difference as they defeated Zesco. For the Zambians it was a second successive setback after Kano Pillars held them at home a fortnight ago in their opening group match.

Pillars returned on Saturday to the refurbished Sani Abacha Stadium to beat Sudan's Al Merreikh. Striker Victor Namo gave them a two-goal lead with strikes in the 18th and 33rd minutes before Stephen Worgu reduced the deficit on 59 minutes for the Sudanese visitors. Midfielder Moses Ogaga made sure of Pillars' victory with the third goal a minute from the end of the game. Al Merreikh also ended the match with 10 men after the 53rd minute dismissal minute of Moussa El Tayeb, who was sent off on the hour mark for elbowing Namo.