Algerian club USM Alger have won the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Zamalek SC in a penalty shootout during the final played in Cairo on Saturday night.
In the second leg of the final, Zamalek started strongly and took an early lead in the fifth minute through a penalty converted by Oday Dabbagh. The goal leveled the aggregate score at 1-1 after USM Alger had won the first leg 1-0 in Algeria.
Despite intense pressure from Zamalek supporters inside Cairo International Stadium, USM Alger displayed strong discipline and managed to withstand the hosts’ attacks throughout the 90 minutes.
Penalty Shootout Drama
After the aggregate score remained 1-1, the winner was decided through penalties. Both teams successfully converted their first seven spot-kicks, but Mohamed Shehata missed a crucial penalty for Zamalek before Glody Likonza scored the winning kick to hand USM Alger the title.
The victory gives USM Alger their second CAF Confederation Cup title, having previously won the competition in 2023 against Young Africans SC on the away goals rule.
USM Alger’s Growing Success
USM Alger have continued to establish themselves as one of Africa’s strongest clubs in recent years. In addition to winning the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023, they also lifted the CAF Super Cup that same year after defeating Al Ahly SC.
For Zamalek, who previously won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2019 and 2024, the defeat comes as a major disappointment for fans who had hoped to celebrate another continental title.
