Power Dynamos held their nerves to draw 1-all and qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage with a 3-2 aggregate win over Ugandan side Vipers SC at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Carrying a 2-1 lead from the first leg, all Power needed was to avoid a 2-margin defeat to become the first Zambian side to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League since Zesco United in the 2019/20 season.

In the first half, Power thought they had the lead on the 14th minute but celebrations were cut short with Frederick Mulambia’s effort canceled.

Referee Ring Malong, from South Sudan ruled that the midfielder had handled the ball before turning it in.

Tied at the break, Power sought something different in the second stanza with the hope of having a greater advantage in the game.

Substitute Moses Shumah, gave Power the lead in the 69th minute after he pounced on the ball, sending in it the top left corner.

At this stage, Power where fully in the group stage as they had a 3-1 comfortable lead but they were set for a tense last 10 minutes of the game as the visitors equalised.

Karim Watambala, took advantage of a lapse at the back to level matters and set the game for a tense finish. At this stage Vipers needed one goal to send the match to the lottery of penalties.

Thankfully, Power held their own, managing a 1-all draw and a 3-2 aggregate win.

Dynamos who have reached the group stage for the first time in their history and have also become only the third Zambian club after Zanaco and Zesco to achieve the feat.

Aba Yellow, who won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, have previously participated in the Champions League in 1998, 2001, and 2012, with all attempts ending in the qualifying rounds.

They remain the only Zambian club to win a continental trophy, the African Winners Cup which was merged with the CAF Cup in 2004 to form the CAF Confederation Cup.

Power will now wait to know their group stage opponents on November 3 when the draw will be conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa.