Primeiro de Agosto Return to CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage After Seeing Off DC Virunga

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Angolan giants Primeiro de Agosto have secured a return to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo’s DC Virunga 1-0 in Luanda on Friday, October 23, to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory. The Angolan outfit sealed qualification at the Estádio França Ndalu, confirming their place among the 16 clubs advancing to the group stage of the 2026/27 competition.

Primeiro de Agosto travelled to the return fixture with a 2-1 advantage after winning the first leg in Kinshasa last weekend. However, the Angolans still needed a disciplined performance at home against a Virunga side determined to overturn the deficit and keep their continental ambitions alive. The opening half ended goalless, leaving the tie delicately poised as both teams searched for the breakthrough.

The hosts maintained their patience after the interval, knowing that a single goal would strengthen their position and put further pressure on the Congolese visitors. Their persistence finally paid off in the 87th minute when Mabilson found the back of the net, scoring the decisive goal of the evening and sparking celebrations among the home supporters.

The late strike secured a 1-0 victory on the night and a 3-1 aggregate triumph for Primeiro de Agosto, who had also won the first leg 2-1. The Angolan club demonstrated their ability to manage a two-legged continental tie, combining their first-leg advantage with a crucial home performance to complete the job without conceding.

The qualification marks Primeiro de Agosto’s return to the group stage of a CAF club competition for the first time since 2019. The 13-time Angolan league champions, who reached the CAF Champions League semifinals in 2018, will now await the group-stage draw as they seek to improve on their best-ever CAF Confederation Cup performance, a quarterfinal appearance in 2009. Their progress also adds to a successful day for Angolan football, following Wiliete SC’s shock elimination of defending CAF Champions League champions Mamelodi Sundowns.