CAF Cup: USM Alger topples Zamalek and secures the crown

 USM Alger once again showed up for its appointment with history. The Algerian club won the African Confederation Cup after a thrilling penalty shootout against Zamalek SC (8-7). A consecration obtained after an extremely close double confrontation concluded with a cumulative score of 1-1.

Unlucky, Zamalek tried everything

Winner of the first leg in Algiers thanks to a penalty converted by Ahmed Khaldi, USMA approached the return to Cairo with a slight advantage. But the Egyptians quickly reset the clock. In the fifth minute, Palestinian Oday Dabbagh opened the scoring on a penalty kick, completely reviving this final.

 Zamalek thought they had a decisive advantage in a very competitive match, but a second goal scored by Mohamed Ismail was finally cancelled for an offside position. At the same time, the Egyptians were also hit by the early injury of their goalkeeper Mehdi Suleiman, a hard blow in a high intensity match.

Faced with the pressure imposed by the Cairotes, Senegalese coach Lamine Ndiaye tried to reorganize his team through several changes in the second half in order to give back energy and strength to the Algerian bloc. For its part, the staff of Zamalek, led by Moatamed Gamal, multiplied the offensive options with the entries of Seifeddine Jaziri, Nasser Mansi and Ahmed Abdel Rahim "Eisho".

New consecration for Lamine Ndiaye
But despite the repeated offensives of the Egyptians, USM Alger held out until the penalty shootings. More lucid in the exercise, the Algerians ended up winning 8 shots on goal at 7, triggering an explosion of joy from their supporters.

This success confirms the lasting return of USM Alger among the great powers of African football. For Lamine Ndiaye, this continental trophy also reinforces his status as one of the most decorated Senegalese coaches on the African scene.