USM Alger advance to CAF Confederation Cup after tense 2nd leg in Morocco

Ahmed Khaldi’s penalty kick just before halftime made the difference as Algerian giants USM Alger advanced to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup following Sunday’s 1-1 second leg draw in Morocco against Olympic Club Safi. With the aggregate score tied 1-1, the Algerian club advanced due to the away goals tiebreaker.

🎞️ Match Highlights:
A 1-1 draw for USM Alger vs Olympic Club Safi sends them to the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC final. pic.twitter.com/bOnXTrvwQE

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 19, 2026

The football became a secondary concern before kickoff after supporter clashes led to a delay that lasted well over an hour, postponing kickoff to a later time. OC Safi supporters ran onto the pitch during warm-ups, leading to confrontation with players from the visiting team, who returned to the changing rooms and refused to play citing security concerns.

The situation escalated to objects thrown and clashes between local authorities and traveling USMA supporters. However, things eventually settled down to allow a delayed kickoff.

Hosts OCS, who did well to achieve a 0-0 first leg result in Algiers, got off to a strong start but failed to find a goal. USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbot produced an outstanding save from Younes Najjari’s 5th minute header and the Sharks squandered another opportunity in the 32nd minute when Imad Serbout fired over.

The home team paid dearly for their missed opportunities. Close to halftime, a flicked header from striker Dramane Kamagaté went off the arm of OCS defender Anas Mkhair. Following a VAR review, referee Samuel Uwikunda awarded a penalty kick to the visitors and Khaldi placed his low effort perfectly beyond the reach of goalkeeper Youssef El Motie.

After halftime, the suspense increased once OCS pulled a goal back through Moussa Koné’s header in the 75th minute. Action increased and a long period of nineteen minutes of stoppage time proceeded but the strong USMA defense held on for a massive result.

Cairo giants await USM Alger in final

USMA, who are in the midst of a poor domestic campaign, have an opportunity to redeem themselves with a continental title. The 2022-23 champions will face Egyptian giants Zamalek, with the first leg in Algiers on May 9 before the second leg in Egypt a week later.