In a masterclass of grit and continental composure, Algerian giants USM Alger captured their second CAF Confederation Cup title after a heart-stopping, marathon penalty shootout victory over Egypt's Zamalek at the Cairo International Stadium.
The highly anticipated second leg of the final concluded with a 1-0 victory for Zamalek on the night, balancing the scales after USM Alger secured an identical 1-0 triumph in Algiers a week prior. Tied 1-1 on aggregate after 180 minutes of fierce, physical North African football, the destination of the prestigious trophy came down to a battle of nerves from twelve yards out, where the visitors ultimately prevailed 8-7 in front of a stunned home crowd.
Early drama and chaos
Seeking to overturn the single-goal deficit from the first leg, Zamalek started the encounter with immense urgency, fueled by a roaring, packed stadium and imposing pre-match tifo display. Their aggressive approach paid immediate dividends just two minutes into the match when Adam Kaied was brought down in the box by Che Malone.
Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh confidently stepped up to the penalty spot and powered his strike past USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, igniting early celebrations and erasing the aggregate deficit within the opening five minutes.
Zamalek believed they had taken complete of the final ten minutes later when Mohamed Ismail turned the ball into the net from close range following a clever knockdown by Juan Bezerra. However, the assistant referee's flag swiftly cut the celebrations short, ruling the goal out for offside.
The Egyptian side suffered another blow before the half-hour mark when starting goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman was forced off due to an injury, granting substitute Mohamed Awad entry into the high-stakes clash.
The tide turns
As the match progressed, USM Alger weathered the early storm and gradually imposed themselves on the game. Ahmed Khaldi, who had scored the decisive late penalty in the first leg, proved to be a persistent threat for the visitors. Khaldi forced a spectacular save from Awad just before halftime with a ferocious long-range effort, and came agonizingly close again early in the second half, dragging a shot narrowly wide after a slick one-two on the edge of the area.
The second half devolved into a tense, tactical war of attrition characterised by heavy challenges and rising emotions. Zamalek created a late opportunity to seal the victory in regulation time when veteran midfielder Abdallah El Said floated a curling cross to Seifeddine Jaziri, but his pinpoint header was spectacularly parried over the crossbar by Benbot.
A nerve-wrecking shootout
With the aggregate score deadlocked and no extra time permitted under the competition rules, the final moved directly to a penalty shootout. Both teams displayed exceptional composure under immense pressure, successfully converting their first seven penalties.
The decisive breakthrough came when stand-in Zamalek captain Mohamed Shehata sent his effort over the crossbar following a psychological duel with Benbot on the line. Congolese substitute Glody Likonza then stepped up for USM Alger, calmly slotting the winning penalty into the left corner despite Awad getting a hand to the ball.
Continental glory reclaimed
The victory marks the second time USM Alger has lifted the CAF Confederation Cup, replicating their historic 2023 success. The triumph also earned the club handsome financial reward and a highly anticipated spot in the upcoming CAF Super Cup.