On April 20, 2026, in a thrilling encounter marred by crowd disturbances, USM Alger of Algeria secured their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup final by drawing 1-1 against Olympique Safi of Morocco, thanks to the away goals rule. This semi-final clash was characterized by a significant delay in kick-off, which lasted for 80 minutes due to rival supporters engaging in violent behavior, including the throwing of projectiles that resulted in a Moroccan journalist being hospitalized after an assault.
The aggregate score for the two-legged semi-final stood at 1-1, following a scoreless match in Algiers the previous weekend. With this result, USM Alger is set to face off against Zamalek of Egypt on May 9 and 16 in the final match of the tournament. The stakes are high, as the victor will be awarded a record-breaking $4 million prize, doubling the amount from the previous season.
The first half was electrifying, with USM Alger taking the lead shortly before the break when Ahmed Khaldi successfully converted a penalty kick just four minutes into added time. This goal put the Algiers team in a favorable position, requiring Safi to score two unanswered goals to advance. However, the Moroccan side managed to pull one back with a header from Senegalese substitute Moussa Kone in the 75th minute, marking his sixth goal of the African campaign. Despite the home team's spirited attempt to push for an equalizer in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the 8,000-capacity stadium, they struggled to create further scoring opportunities.
The match was filled with interruptions, with Rwandan referee decisions frequently challenged by players, and the game was further disrupted by unsportsmanlike behavior, including the throwing of bottles onto the pitch and the use of fireworks, which temporarily obscured visibility with smoke. USM Alger, who previously triumphed in the Confederation Cup in 2023 and secured another CAF title that same year by defeating the then-reigning African champions, Al Ahly of Egypt, are now looking to add another prestigious trophy to their cabinet. Zamalek, their upcoming opponents, are renowned for their success in CAF competitions, boasting 13 titles, including two Confederation Cup victories.
As reported by bssnews.net.
