NAIROBI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Gor Mahia survived a scare to secure a 1-0 win over Nyasa Big Bullets of Malawi in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League here on Wednesday.

Midfielder Bernard Ondiek struck late in the game to help Gor Mahia secure a hard fought 1-0 win. With the victory, the Kenyan champions were able to take a narrow lead to Blantyre in two weeks, hoping to deny their rivals and progress to the second round. The Kenyans lost their coach Dylan Kerr a week ago.

Gor Mahia stand-in coach Zedekiah Otieno said he is happy to have started off the continental campaign on a winning note and hopes the Malawian side will be forced to come out and attack, thus opening up the game in their return leg in Blantyre.

"They held firm and opted to defend, but we managed to penetrate their defense and score the important goal. Now we look forward to playing them in Blantyre, where I believe it will be an open match," Otieno said.

Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa had set out his charges to go out and sit back as he sought go back home with a point. "I believe the team played well and we deserved a point from the clash. But Gor Mahia are a big team and they have done well. I hope to win at home," said Pasuwa.

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League is the premier football club competition on the continent. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019.