Away victories for Maniema and Primeiro de Agosto in TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup
DR Congo AS Maniema Union and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto recorded valuable away victories over Angola’s Kabuscorp and DR Congo DC Virunga respectively while Moroccan giants Raja returned from Nigeria with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with El Kanemi Warriors, while Mali’s FC Diarra recorded a hard-fought win over Togo’s ASKO in a five-goal thriller in Bamako for the records of the first leg of the 2nd Preliminary Round of the 2026-2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
Away win for Primeiro de Agosto
Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto managed an important away win over hosts DC Virunga of DR Congo at the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa.
Obed Mukokiani gave the Angolans the lead four minutes after the break, before Tombe made it 2-0 for the visitors after 65 minutes. Junior reduced the deficit for DC Virunga at the 79th minute but was not to deny the “Red Blacks” an away win that moves them closer to the group stage.
Maniema Union strikes hard in Luanda
AS Maniema Union of DR Congo has all but secured a place in the group stage after producing an emphatic display to beat hosts Kabuscorp of Angola 4-1 at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda.
Kane Suleymane gave the visitors the lead after 32 minutes, and Benny Namboka doubled AS Maniema Union lead two minutes before halftime.
Israel Ekofo produced a Man of the Match performance to score twice in the second half. He made it 3-0 for the visitors after 63 minutes and completed his personal brace seven minutes later.
Kabuscorp pulled one back six minutes from time but that was a mere consolation for the hosts. AS Maniema Union will look now to finish the mission next weekend at home.
El Kanemi score late to save blushes against Raja
Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic was on the verge or achieving an away victory at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, but for hosts El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria to grab a late equalizer and send things to be settled next weekend in Casablanca.
The hosts took an early lead after just six minutes, but Mohammed Sharara found the equalizer for the CAF Confederation Cup two-time winners Raja after 24 minutes as both sides went to the break tied.
At the hour mark, Mathias Kehinde gave Raja the lead, and the Green Eagles kept ahead but for El Kanemi Warriors to find the back of the net again eight minutes from time, as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Raja will look to the reverse leg back home to ensure their group stage spot, while El Kanemi Warriors aim to produce a huge shock and oust one of the tournament’s favourites.
Thriller victory for FC Diarra
Mali’s FC Diarra and Togo’s ASKO produced an entertaining five-goal thriller that saw the hosts almost losing a massive lead, but they survived a slim margin 3-2 victory at the Mamadou Konate Stadium in Bamako.
FC Diarra were cruising to a big win in the first half that saw them going 3-0 up, but the Togolese visitors managed to reduce the deficit to keep their hopes alive when they play hosts next weekend.
Madou Samake gave FC Diarra the lead after 15 minutes, before Mery Traore doubled the hosts advantage at the half hour mark. Seydou Sidibe made it 3-0 after 42 minutes, but for the visitors to get one back in the first half injury time.
It was soon 3-2 after 58 minutes, but ASKO hopes of getting the equalizer dealt a blow when they were down to 10 men after 58 minutes. Yet they managed to keep the scoreline that FC Diarra will look to defend in Togo if they are to reach the group stage.