USM Alger Edge Zamalek in Dramatic Penalty Shootout to Claim CAF Confederation Cup
Algerian powerhouse USM Alger silenced the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night, defeating Egyptian giants Zamalek SC 8–7 on penalties to lift the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The victory marks USM Alger’s second Confederation Cup title in history (adding to their 2023 triumph), forcing Zamalek to suffer their first-ever loss in a continental final penalty shootout.
Entering the second leg with a 1-0 deficit after Ahmed Khaldi’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty for USM Alger in Algiers a week prior, Zamalek wasted no time turning the tide. Just five minutes into the match, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Adam Kaied was brought down inside the box. Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh stepped up and confidently buried the spot-kick to level the tie 1–1 on aggregate.
The early goal injected a surge of energy into the Cairo crowd. Zamalek thought they had taken the aggregate lead in the 14th minute when Mohamed Ismail turned the ball into the net from close range, but the assistant referee’s flag quickly cut the celebrations short for offside.
There was a setback for the hosts in the 29th minute when starting goalkeeper El Mahdi Slimane was forced off due to an injury. Substitute keeper Mohamed Awad, making his first appearance in 111 days, was thrown straight into the fire, making a crucial save against USMA’s Ahmed Khaldi just before the break.
The second half saw a completely different tactical narrative. USM Alger abandoned their defensive shell, dominating up to 65% of the possession and choking out Zamalek’s midfield.
Despite being heavily pinned back, Zamalek nearly snatched the trophy in the 85th minute. Nasser Mansi met a brilliant cross with a powerful, towering header, but USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbot pulled off a spectacular fingertip save to keep the Algerians alive.
With no extra time dictated by tournament regulations, the destination of the multi-million dollar trophy came down to sudden-death execution from twelve yards.
What followed was a masterclass in composure under immense atmospheric pressure. Both sides expertly converted their opening seven spot-kicks:
Abdullah El-Said, Hossam Abdel-Maguid, Seif El-Jaziri, Juan Bezerra, and others confidently found the back of the net for Zamalek.
Ahmed Khaldi, Zakaria Draoui, Radouani, and Ben Ayad successfully answered back amidst deafening whistles from the home crowd.
The breaking point arrived on the eighth penalty. Stand-in Zamalek captain Mohamed Shehata, who visibly struggled to place the ball on the penalty spot, blasted his effort completely over the crossbar.
Congolese substitute Glody Likonza stepped up next for USM Alger. Despite Zamalek’s Mohamed Awad getting a hand to the ball, Likonza’s strike nestled into the left corner—sparking wild celebrations from the travelling Algerian contingent.
Alongside the ultimate bragging rights, USM Alger walks away with a record $2 million grand prize. More importantly, their continental journey continues as they book a highly-anticipated spot in the upcoming CAF Super Cup, where they will face either South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns or Morocco’s AS FAR.
