Baroka winger Terrence Tisdell netted his first goal for Liberia.
Highlands Park forward Peter Shalulile scored his fifth international goal in his 18th cap for Namibia.
Two PSL stars shone for their respective nations in the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualification first round, while Thabo Senong made his senior coaching debut with Lesotho.
Baroka winger Terrence Tisdell continued his recent emergence within the Liberia national team as he starred in the win over Sierra Leone.
The 21-year-old winger who joined Bakgaka during the off-season after an impressive stint in Portugal with Sanjoanense played a crucial role in former Platinum Stars boss Peter Butler's first game at the helm.
Tisdell gave the Englishman the perfect start, netting a 16th minute penalty but The Lone Stars managed to grab an equaliser through Iceland based midfielder Kwame Quee after profiting from a defensive mix-up after a long throw-in into the area.
However, Newcastle United midfielder Mohamed Sangare restored the deficit in the 82nd minute with another spot-kick after Sam Johnson was hauled down in the area.
Johnson then grabbed a goal of his own a minute before time as the Liberian put one put into the second round ahead of the return leg.
Brave Warriors overcome Eritrea
In a fixture within challenging conditions at the Denden Stadium in Asmara, Highlands Park forward Peter Shalulile broke the deadlock in the 50th minute with a composed finish after being played in through on goal.
An own goal from Esey Tesfay doubled the vistors advantage before the hour mark, but teenager Ali Sulieman's tap-in on 65 minutes offered The Red Sea Camels a glimmer of hope for the return leg in Windhoek on 10 September.
Senong debut ends in stalemate
Former Amajita head coach Thabo Senong opted for full domestic based starting XI in his first game in charge of the Lesotho national team.
The ambitious coach said prior to the encounter that he's aiming to lead Likuena to the Group stages of the World Cup qualifiers.
Up against Ethopia, Black Leopards duo Tshwarelo Bereng Tumelo Khutlang and Sera Motebang of Bloemfontein Celtic had to make due with a place on the bench.
Neither side were able to make a breakthough at the Bahir Dar Stadium leaving the return leg in Maseru on 8 September an evenly poised clash for a place in the second round.