USM Alger players celebrated their CAF Confederation Cup triumph by dedicating the title to supporters and the wider Algerian public after defeating Zamalek SC in a dramatic final in Cairo.
The Algerian side secured the continental title for the second time in club history after winning 8-7 on penalties following the two-legged final. Although Zamalek won the return match 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium, the contest ultimately went to a shootout where USM Alger held their nerve to clinch the trophy.
The decisive second leg saw Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh score from the penalty spot in the fifth minute to give the Egyptian side victory on the night, but it was not enough to deny the Algerian club in the shootout.
The triumph further strengthened USM Alger’s growing continental record, adding a second CAF Confederation Cup title to the CAF Super Cup crown they won in 2023.
Players and staff celebrated passionately after the final whistle, with several members of the squad paying tribute to the thousands of supporters who travelled from Algeria to Egypt for the final.
Goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, who was named Man of the Match, said the victory belonged to both the club’s supporters and the Algerian people.
“Praise be to God for this victory in the CAF Cup,” Benbot said after the match.
He added: “We dedicate this title and victory to all the Algerian people, especially the fans of USM Alger, and especially those who traveled with us to Cairo and supported us until the last moment.”
The goalkeeper also highlighted the squad’s determination before travelling to Egypt for the decisive encounter.
“We traveled to Cairo with one goal, which was to win the title and return to Algeria, and thank God we were able to achieve that,” he said.
Benbot, who is also the first-choice goalkeeper for the Algeria national football team, used the occasion to send an optimistic message to supporters about the future.
“Our fans deserve this title, and God willing, we will make them happy in the future,” he stated.
USM Alger are now expected to compete in another major continental occasion when they face either Mamelodi Sundowns or FAR Rabat in the upcoming CAF Super Cup final.
Midfielder Islam Merili also expressed pride after helping his side secure another continental success.
“Thank God for our winning the CAF Cup title again,” he said in post-match media comments.
Merili admitted the match had become difficult after Zamalek scored early but praised his teammates for remaining composed under pressure.
“The match was not easy, especially since we conceded a goal in the first few minutes, but we knew how to deal with that situation,” he explained.
The midfielder stressed that the players had prepared mentally for every possible scenario, including penalties.
“We prepared ourselves for all the known scenarios in final matches, and we were ready for penalty kicks,” he said.
He concluded by praising the commitment shown by supporters who travelled to Cairo for the final.
“We did our best and gave everything we had to make our fans happy, who traveled in large numbers to Egypt to support us, and thank God we succeeded in giving them this title.”
The victory marks another significant moment in USM Alger’s recent continental rise and further strengthens the club’s reputation as one of Africa’s growing football powers.
