CAF Confederation Cup: USM Alger advance after home victory over Maniema Union

A first half goal from Brahim Benzaza was all USM Alger needed to advance to the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals via the away goals rule. A 1-0 victory over Congolese club AS Maniema Union on Sunday was enough to level the aggregate score at 2-2, allowing the Algerian club to secure a spot in the final four.

The Algiers club suffered a 1-2 first leg defeat in the first leg played in the DRC but that one goal proved to be crucial. Les Usmistes seized control early in front of their home supporters and encountered little resistance after taking the lead.

Concerns remained about USMA’s weak attack ahead of the second leg but the hosts received a little bit of help in the 30th minute. After an initial shot from Hicham Khaldi, scorer of the goal in Congo, was rather tame but Maniema goalkeeper Brunel Efonge spilled the ball right into the path of Benzaza who made no mistake with the goal at his mercy.

Coach Papy Kimoto was a frustrated figure for the remainder of the match as his Maniema Union players failed to resemble the team that caused so many problems for USMA in the first leg. The visitors failed to launch a shot on goal in the first half and could only manage a couple of hopeful efforts after halftime that caused little trouble for USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbot.

It ends 1-0 for USM Alger. ✅#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/W1c5oQi2N8

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 22, 2026

CAF Confederation Cup glory comes in the midst of domestic struggles

The 2023 Confederation Cup winners advance to the semifinals where they will face Moroccan opposition, either Wydad AC or OC Safi. Continental competition continues to provide an excellent distraction from the club’s domestic woes, where they currently sit in 8th place on the table in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Mobilis.

However, the club remain in the Algerian Cup, where the defending champions are favorites to advance to the final where a victory would see them return to the Confederation Cup next season.