Sfaxien defender Issam Merdassi what proved to be the winner in the 26th minute.

His low free kick squirmed beneath Cameroonian keeper Kameni, brother of Espanyol guardian Carlos, to condemn Al-Hodoud to their second defeat in the group.

Matters went from bad to worse when Kameni received a straight red card one minute from time after bringing down Agyeman Opoku on the edge of the area.

Having already made three substitutions, Al-Hodoud coach Tarek Al-Ashri had no alternative but to play striker Ahmed Abdul-Ghani as a goalkeeper.

Abdul-Ghani rose to the occasions, tipping a fierce free-kick few seconds before the final whistle.

Al-Hodoud, who beat Sfaxien 3-1 in Alexandria a week ago, slipped to second in the group with six points, one adrift of the Tunisians.

Winners of Groups A and B advance to meet in the competition’s final.