USM Alger have been crowned CAF Confederation Cup champions after a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Zamalek SC following a 1-1 draw on aggregate in the final.
The Algerian side held their nerve in a tense shootout at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night to secure their second title in the competition and the $4 million prize money.
Zamalek had forced penalties after winning the second leg 1-0 in Cairo, cancelling out USM Alger’s narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Algiers the previous week. Ahmed Khaldi had scored a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+8th minute of the first leg to give USM Alger the edge heading into the return fixture.
In the decisive second leg, Zamalek produced a disciplined performance in front of their home supporters, edging the contest 1-0 to level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate and send the final to penalties.
The shootout proved to be a tense and prolonged affair, with both sides converting a series of high-pressure spot-kicks before USM Alger eventually prevailed 8-7 to lift the trophy.
The result marks a significant achievement for USM Alger, who add a second CAF Confederation Cup title to their history after previously being crowned champions in 2023.
For Zamalek, the defeat extends a painful run in continental finals, as they were left to rue missed opportunities across both legs despite producing a strong response in Cairo.
The final had been finely balanced throughout, with both teams separated only by fine margins across the two matches.
USM Alger’s victory was ultimately built on their first-leg resilience in Algiers and their composure under pressure in the shootout, as they withstood a hostile atmosphere in Cairo to emerge victorious.
With the win, USM Alger close out a hard-fought continental campaign by once again establishing themselves among Africa’s elite club sides, while Zamalek are left to reflect on a final decided by the narrowest of margins
