By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image: @CAFCLCC.
Algeria’s USM Alger beat Zamalek 8-7 on penalties at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, claiming their second CAF Confederation Cup after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The Algerian club first won the trophy in 2023 and booked their place in next season’s CAF Super Cup, where they will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or FAR Rabat.
With this victory, USM Alger walk away with a hefty sum as CAF has increased the winners’ prize money to a record USD 4 million.
Zamalek broke the deadlock in the second minute, when Adam Kayed was brought down inside the area after a challenge from Che Malone, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Oday Al-Dabbagh stepped up confidently and calmly slotted the penalty beyond Osama Benbout in the fifth minute to ignite celebrations inside Cairo Stadium.
The goal not only restored parity on aggregate but also lifted the tension among the home fans, who sensed another famous continental comeback after previous final recoveries in recent years.
Zamalek continued to push forward and thought they had doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Mohamed Ismail turned home from close range following a clever knockdown by Juan Bezerra, only for the assistant referee’s offside flag to cut celebrations short.
USM Alger gradually settled into the contest and began to threaten through Ahmed Khaldi, whose movement and powerful shooting repeatedly troubled the hosts.
The visitors almost equalised midway through the first half when Islam Merili’s fierce free-kick flashed narrowly over the bar before Khaldi’s dangerous header also drifted wide.
Zamalek suffered a setback in the 29th minute when goalkeeper El Mahdi Slimane was forced off injured after failing to recover from a knock sustained, moments earlier.
Mohamed Awad replaced him for his first appearance in 111 days and was immediately called into action, producing an excellent save to deny Khaldi before half-time.
The second half followed a different pattern as USM Alger dominated possession while Zamalek increasingly retreated to protect their slender advantage.
Khaldi remained the biggest threat for the Algerian side, firing narrowly wide in the 54th minute before blazing another promising effort over the crossbar shortly afterwards.
With neither side able to find another breakthrough, the contest moved to penalties, where the drama intensified further.
Both teams converted their opening seven spot-kicks in a remarkable exhibition of composure under pressure. Abdullah El-Said, Hossam Abdel-Maguid, Seif El-Jaziri and Bezerra all scored for Zamalek, while Khaldi, Zakaria Draoui, Radouani and Ben Ayad responded for the Algerians.
The decisive moment finally arrived when Mohamed Shehata blasted Zamalek’s eighth penalty over the crossbar.
USM Alger substitute Tending then stepped forward and calmly converted the winning kick, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting players and supporters.
CAF contributed in this match report.