Johannesburg golfer Trevor Fisher almost overslept before taking sole ownership of the Africa Open lead with a second-round 66 on Friday.

The 1.95-metre Fisher stands on 132 at the links-cum-parkland East London Golf Club and confessed he did not sleep well in the eastern Cape coastal city and came close to being late for his tee-off time.

He is one stroke ahead of Swede Patrick Sjoland, who fired a 67 on the par-73 layout, and two in front of compatriots Thomas Aiken and Keith Horne, who returned a 67 each.

Fisher and Sjoland were among five first-round leaders and the other three slipped back as the chase hotted up for first prize in the one million euro event co-sanctioned by the South African and European tours.

South African Richard Sterne (71) is five shots behind Fisher, compatriot Titch Moore (72) six behind, and Dane Mark Haastrup stumbled to a 75 and is 11 strokes off the pace.

Crowd favourite Darren Clarke from Northern Ireland, seeking Road to Dubai and Ryder Cup points, could manage only a two-under 72 and lies on 139 while Englishman Nick Dougherty (73) had a 149 total and missed the cut.

Fisher gave a display as hot as his dazzling red pants with two eagles and five birdies on the 6,038-metre course overlooking the Indian Ocean.

He eagled the par-five first by holing a 30-foot putt after hitting his five-iron second over the green and the other came at the 11th with a two-iron approach setting up a single putt.

Fisher, a four-time winner on the South African Sunshine circuit since turning professional seven years ago, is seeking his first European Tour success.