We will be also providing a CLI script which you can execute after uploading the file to /var/webuzo/backup/ and the file will appear in the in the Webuzo backup page similar to what you expected in 2.6.9
There has been no change in the backup as well as the restore process, so sounds really strange that you have been facing issues on restore.
Also, the change of storing backup files in a file list was introduced in 2.7.0 so that remote backups made via the panel can be tracked.
It seems that the goal that you wish to achieve with Backup and restore is quite different from what it's intended to be.
Let me know if you have any more question or you can contact us via support ticket where you can let me know your issue in detail so that I can provide you steps that will suit your Workflow of backup and restore