May 18 – It took USM Alger extra time and an 8-7 penalty shoot-out win to secure their second CAF Confederation Cup and the record prize money of $4 million in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday.
USM Alger went to Cairo with a 1-0 advantage over Zamalek following a dramatic first-leg victory in Algiers the previous weekend, where Ahmed Khaldi converted a stoppage-time penalty.
Another penalty, this time by Palestinian Oday Al-Dabbagh early on, saw the Egpytian giants level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate in front of a packed 75,000 capacity stadium.
A tense tie saw the Algerians hold their nerve in the marathon shootout to win the title and follow up their last success in 2023 and secure a place in next season’s CAF Super Cup, where they will face the winners of the CAF Champions League, either South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns or Morocco’s FAR Rabat.
Zamalek had started with urgency and in only the second minute, Adam Kayed was brought down inside the area after a challenge from Che Malone. Al-Dabbagh confidently slotted the penalty beyond Osama Benbout in the fifth minute to ignite celebrations inside Cairo International Stadium.
Zamalek continued to push forward and thought they had doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Mohamed Ismail tapped in a Juan Bezerra knock down, only for the assistant referee to rule the goal out for offside.
USM Alger fought their way back into the tie and almost equalised midway through the first half when Islam Merili’s free kick flew narrowly over the bar.
USM Alger grew in confidence as the game progressed, dominating possession but despite having 66% of the possession, were unable to make it count in front of goal.
A Zamalek counter-attack in the 85th minute almost sealed the tie. A Nasser Mansi header produced a brilliant fingertip save from goalkeeper Oussama Benbout to keep USM Alger alive.
The final moved into penalties. Both teams converted their opening seven spot-kicks. Mohamed Shehata blasted Zamalek’s eighth penalty over the crossbar while USM Alger substitute Glody Likonza calmly converted the winning penalty.
Zamalek’s consolation was the $2 million runners-up prize money – a much needed boost for the club that is struggling with debt.
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