USM Alger and Zamalek confirm starting XIs for first leg of CAF Confederation Cup final

USM Alger and Zamalek SC have confirmed their starting line-ups for the first leg of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup final in Algiers tonight.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962, with both sides aiming to secure an advantage ahead of the decisive return match in Cairo next week.

Zamalek captain Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh leads the Egyptian side, while experienced Moroccan forward Oussama Dabbagh starts in attack as the White Knights look to claim a positive away result.

USM Alger, meanwhile, have named Saadi Radouani as captain, with the Algerian club relying on the attacking presence of Khaled Dramane and Ismaël Belkacemi as they chase a first-leg advantage on home soil.

Zamalek Starting XI:

Mohamed Soliman, Mahmoud Bentayg, Hossam Abdelmegeed, Ahmed Abo El Fetouh, Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Kaied, Abdallah Elsaid, Mostafa Kotb, Oussama Dabbagh, Mahmoud Hamdy (C), Clatous Chama Banza.

USM Alger Starting XI:

Oussama Benbot, Jérémy Malone, Zineddine Draoui, Akram Khaldi, Ismaël Merili, Houari Loucif, Hamza Dehiri, Brahim Benzaza, Saadi Radouani (C), Khaled Dramane, El Hadji Tendeng.

Both clubs head into the final with nearly identical records in this season’s competition, each winning five of their 10 matches en route to the showdown.

Zamalek are targeting a third CAF Confederation Cup title after triumphs in 2019 and 2024, while USM Alger are seeking their second crown following their success in 2023.

Daraja Kapoor

Daraja Kapoor is a highly respected football journalist, editor and analyst, known for his compelling storytelling and sharp, data-driven insights into the game. He specialises in match analysis, features, emerging talent coverage and football trends across Africa.He holds a degree in English from the University of Cape Coast and has built a strong reputation in the media industry through his disciplined approach and deep understanding of football.Daraja received his journalistic training at leading news platform Ghanaguardian.com and has worked with some of the most prominent football websites in Ghana, including Footballmadeinghana.com and Ghanasoccernet.com. He also served as Sports Editor of Talysports.com, where he played a key role in shaping editorial direction and content strategy.He is currently the Managing Editor of African.Football, where he leads the platform’s editorial vision, overseeing content production, quality control and the delivery of authoritative African football coverage to a global audience.

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