Algerian giants USM Alger were crowned CAF Confederation Cup 25/26 champions after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Egyptian side Zamalek at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night.
USM Alger triumphed 8-7 on penalties after Zamalek secured a 1-0 victory during normal time, leaving the two-legged final tied 1-1 on aggregate. The result handed the Algerian outfit their second Confederation Cup crown, adding to the title they won in 2023.
The final was played in front of a packed and tense atmosphere in Cairo, with Zamalek determined to overturn the first-leg deficit suffered in Algeria. The Egyptian side had lost the opening encounter 1-0 after a controversial stoppage-time penalty converted by Ahmed Khaldi, a result that sparked heated debate across the continent.
Knowing only victory would keep their hopes alive, Zamalek made a perfect start to the second leg. The White Knights were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute after a foul inside the box, and Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh stepped up confidently to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and level the tie on aggregate.
The early goal ignited the home crowd and gave Zamalek momentum, but despite dominating large spells of the first half, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a disciplined USM Alger defence.
The visitors remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack, frustrating the Egyptian side as the game wore on. After the break, USM Alger nearly silenced the Cairo crowd when first-leg hero Ahmed Khaldi came close to equalising, only to see his effort drift narrowly wide of the post.
As fatigue and tension grew, both sides became more cautious in extra time, aware that one mistake could decide the trophy. Neither team managed to find the decisive breakthrough, forcing the final into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
The shootout itself was filled with composure and drama as both teams converted their opening seven penalties. However, the turning point came when Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Shehata failed to convert the eighth kick, handing USM Alger the advantage.
Congolese midfielder Glody Likonza then calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to seal an 8-7 shootout victory and spark wild celebrations among the travelling supporters and players in Cairo.
USM Alger players rushed onto the pitch in celebration after the winning penalty, while Zamalek’s players were left devastated after falling short in front of their home fans.
The triumph further cements USM Alger’s growing reputation in African football, with the club now lifting its second CAF Confederation Cup title in just three years. For Zamalek, meanwhile, the defeat marks another painful continental setback despite their spirited performance in the return leg.
With the win,USM Alger’s have now qualified for the CAF Super Cup where they will face the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR who face off in the CAF Champions League final.