Angola's Primeiro de Agosto and Mali's AS Real Bamako both advanced to the Second Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup on Friday, though by very different margins. Primeiro de Agosto cruised through with a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Green Mamba, while Real Bamako held on to progress 2-1 on aggregate against Vitesse FC of Burkina Faso.
Tshibamba settles the tie early
Primeiro de Agosto arrived at Luanda's Estádio 11 de Novembro with a 2-0 first-leg advantage already secured from Eswatini. Rather than sitting on that lead, the Angolan side moved immediately to extend it.
Samu Tshibamba was the architect of the victory, netting twice in the first half to put the result firmly beyond doubt before the interval. The DR Congo-born forward's brace left Green Mamba needing an improbable four goals to progress — a task that always appeared beyond them.
Primeiro de Agosto controlled the second half without fuss, shutting out the Eswatini side and completing a clean-sheet 2-0 win on the night. The result sealed a flawless aggregate success: two matches, four goals scored, none conceded.
Tshibamba's contribution was central to the qualification. The 29-year-old has accumulated experience across the continent — including spells with Olympique Khouribga in Morocco and US Monastir in Tunisia — and he brought that sharpness to bear when it mattered most.
Between the two continental fixtures, Primeiro de Agosto were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Sporting de Cabinda in the Girabola. However, their displays in CAF competition have been a particular source of encouragement. Winning away from home on the continent demands quality, and their 2-0 victory in Eswatini provided the ideal platform for Friday's dominant display.
Real Bamako survive Vitesse test
The equation was far tighter for Real Bamako, who entered their home second leg at Stade Modibo Keïta protecting a single-goal cushion against Vitesse — a side making their debut in continental competition.
The Malian club had claimed a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Ouagadougou's Stade du 4-Août, despite falling behind to a 26th-minute goal from Hassami Sassan Dah — set up by Paul Christian Sanou. Real Bamako rallied before half-time with two goals to seal a precious away result.
On Friday, Vitesse pressed for the away goal that would have transformed the tie. Both sides created chances in an open first half, but neither could find the precision needed to break the deadlock. As the match wore on, Real Bamako's advantage meant they could afford patience — a goalless draw was enough — while Vitesse carried the weight of needing to score.
Neither side managed to find the net, and the 0-0 draw confirmed Real Bamako's passage on a 2-1 aggregate. Both clubs now join the Second Preliminary Round, keeping Angola and Mali represented in this season's TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
