TRIPOLI (AFP) - Al-Ittihad of Libya marked their African Champions League group debut with a surprise 1-0 victory over JS Kabylie of Algeria this weekend.

Substitute Alseny Camara from Guinea settled a lacklustre opening match in the 24-fixture mini-league phase of the premier African club competition with a headed goal seven minutes from full-time.

Livewire Ali Rahuma found space on the right wing at the June 11 Stadium and Camara rose at the far post to guide the cross wide of goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and into the net.

The Group A triumph was particularly sweet for Ittihad as they suffered a 5-1 aggregate drubbing from two-time title holders Kabylie in a Champions League qualifier last year.

Kabylie lacked suspended Benin striker Wassiou Oladikpikpo, a delay in the transfer of Malian Issa Traore from Iran ruled him out, and leading scorer Hamza Yacef was sold to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in midweek.

Ittihad always had the edge before a large, passionate crowd, especially in the second half when they abandoned the long ball in favour of crisp, short passing.

But scoring chances were scarce as the Algerian 'Canaries' sought to improve on a disastrous showing at the same stage last year when they won just once in six matches.

Rahuma went closest for Ittihad in the first half, hitting the side netting, while a Sofiane Bengoreine cross at the other end almost deceived Libyan goalkeeper and captain Samir Aboud.

Ittihad striker Salem al-Rewani was just off target in the second half with a shot that beat Chaouchi while captain Aboud did well to block a close range shot from Oumar Dabo.

FAR Rabat of Morocco host Etoile Sahel of Tunisia late Saturday in the other Group A fixture.