CAF Confederation Cup: VAR intervenes as Olympique Safi hold USM Alger

USM Alger will need to get a result in Morocco next weekend after being held to a 0-0 first leg draw on Saturday by visitors OC Safi in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.

🎞️ Match Highlights:
Sky-high intensity in the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC semifinals’ first leg between USM Alger & Olympic Club Safi. pic.twitter.com/wifplDrU5D

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 11, 2026

The hosts were the more threatening team at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, but Zakaria Draoui’s excellent headed goal in the second half was disallowed by VAR after the ball struck the referee during the buildup.

It was a difficult moment for USMA to accept, who got off to an inspired start after the interval when Rayane Mahrouz’s cross found the head of the experienced midfielder.

Visitors OCS were content to absorb pressure and counter, which was a successful strategy in a strong first half performance. USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbout was called into action in the 28th minute to save Salaheddine Errahouli’s effort, with the OCS attacker also firing over in the 11th minute after good combination play with Imad Khannouss.

Once Draoui’s goal was disallowed shortly after halftime, a loud and raucous stadium was silenced and the hosts could not recover the momentum. OCS, still in the relegation zone currently in Morocco’s top flight Botola Pro, relied on their experienced and solid defense to keep a weak USMA attack from finding a goal despite extended spells of pressure.

Another dramatic moment in CAF Confederation Cup 1st leg clash

In the 80th minute, OCS goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani was issued a red card after his late punch attempt took out Islam Merili as the midfielder headed in an apparent goal. The goal was disallowed for offsides, but Hamiani’s challenge was viewed as reckless and worth of an expulsion while Merili was stretchered off with a serious head injury.

But despite having a numerical advantage for the final minutes, it did little to help the anemic attack of the hosts who will now need a positive result in Morocco. The two teams will meet again next Sunday at the Stade El Massira, where OCS supporters will be ready in large numbers.