Mbutu Mabi scored TP Mazembe's crucial away goal.

DR Congo side TP Mazembe have put themselves in a great position to lift the Champions League despite going down 2-1 away to Nigerian club Heartland in the first leg of the final on Sunday.

Heartland had to come came from a goal down to beat the Congolese in Owerri.

A goal 10 minutes from time ensured Heartland kept up their winning run at home in this year's competition but Mazembe will be fancied to secure the trophy in Lubumbashi on Saturday.

Mazembe will only need a 1-0 win in the second leg to take the trophy for the first time in more than 40 years.

On a rain-hit home pitch Heartland created several early chances but failed to capitalise before Mazembe moved in front through striker Tresor Mputu Mabi.

Mabi, the top scorer in African club competition for two of the last three years, gave Mazembe the lead in the 23rd minute but it was cancelled out by Uche Agba within a minute.

Agba then notched his eighth goal of the competition with an 80th-minute winner.

Heartland are attempting to win Africa's top club prize for the first time.

Mazembe last won the trophy in 1968.

The return match is scheduled for the southern Congolese city of Lubumbashi on 7 November.

The winners of the Champions League will take home US$1.5m and earn a place in the year-end Fifa Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.