The CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second leg between Olympique de Safi and USM Alger descended into chaos on Sunday evening after a pitch invasion by visiting supporters forced a significant delay to kick-off at the Al Massira Stadium.

Originally scheduled for 8:00 p.m., the decisive encounter eventually began at 9:20 p.m., following a 1-hour and 20-minute disruption caused by crowd trouble attributed to sections of the Algerian supporters.

Disorder Before Kick-off

Tensions escalated just minutes before kick-off when a large number of fans surged onto the pitch, overwhelming security personnel and creating scenes of confusion inside the stadium.

A sea of red as Algerian supporters invade the pitch

Eyewitnesses reported that the disorder began in the section occupied by visiting supporters, with acts of hooliganism including the throwing of chairs and attacks directed at local fans and members of the press.

The situation quickly deteriorated, forcing match officials and players from both teams to abandon the field as safety concerns took precedence.

Teams React as Calm Is Restored

While Olympique de Safi players maintained their warm-up routines amid the uncertainty, their Algerian counterparts retreated to the dressing room and were slow to return to the pitch even after order was gradually restored.

Officials from the Confederation of African Football intervened, with the match security commissioner ultimately confirming the revised kick-off time.

USM Alger players only re-emerged close to 9:00 p.m., raising questions among observers about the visitors’ approach in the aftermath of the disturbances.

A Night Meant for History Disrupted

For Olympique de Safi, the fixture represented one of the most significant matches in the club’s history, marking a remarkable run in their debut continental campaign.

However, the focus shifted from football to security management, as organisers battled to regain control of the stadium and ensure conditions were safe for play.

Witnesses described the incident as unprecedented at the venue, with the scale of the pitch invasion disrupting pre-match preparations and creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.

CAF Set to Act

The Confederation of African Football is expected to open a formal review into the incidents, with disciplinary measures likely to follow.

Sunday’s events have reignited concerns about crowd control and supporter behaviour in high-stakes continental fixtures, echoing previous disturbances seen in major African competitions.

For Moroccan football authorities and fans alike, the hope is that firm action will be taken to prevent a recurrence of such scenes and to protect the integrity of the game.

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Egyptian giants Zamalek qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup final after a 0-0 draw with Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria in Friday’s semi-final second leg, ensuring a 1-0 aggregate triumph.

Zamalek won the ​away leg in Algiers last ⁠week.

The Cairo club did have ​the ball in the net in ​the first half of the return when Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh thought he ​had opened the scoring, but ​a VAR review found the Egyptians were offside.

Zamalek ‌have ⁠won the Confederation Cup twice, in 2019 and 2024, and will be chasing a ninth continental ​title in ​next ⁠month’s two-legged final, where they take on either ​USM Alger or Morocco’s Olympic ​Safi, ⁠who play the second leg of their semi-final on Sunday. The ⁠first ​leg in Algeria ​last weekend ended goalless.

-Reuters

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A high-stakes Moroccan derby between Olympique de Safi and Wydad Casablanca will headline the quarter-final stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, following Tuesday’s draw in Cairo.

The draw ceremony, conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), mapped out the path to the final for the eight remaining contenders, setting up intriguing North African and Central African showdowns.

All-Moroccan Clash Guarantees Semi-Final Spot

Olympique de Safi will host Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their tie, ensuring that Morocco will have at least one representative in the semi-finals. The clash pits two sides familiar with each other domestically, adding extra intensity to what is already a decisive knockout encounter.

Egyptian and Algerian Heavyweights in Action

Egyptian giants Zamalek SC will begin their campaign away to Congo’s AS Otoho, a tie that sees the five-time African champions seeking another continental crown.

Meanwhile, Al Masry SC will host Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the first leg, in what promises to be a tightly contested North Africa battle.

In another compelling fixture, AS Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo will take on Algeria’s USM Alger, as the Congolese side looks to capitalise on home advantage in the opening leg.

Quarter-Final Fixtures

• QF1: Al Masry (Egypt) vs CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
• QF2: Olympique de Safi (Morocco) vs Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
• QF3: AS Otoho (Congo) vs Zamalek SC (Egypt)
• QF4: AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) vs USM Alger (Algeria)

The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for 15 March, with return fixtures set for 22 March.

Semi-Final Pathway Confirmed

The draw also determined the semi-final bracket:

• SF1: Winner of AS Maniema Union vs USM Alger will host the first leg against the winner of Olympique de Safi vs Wydad Casablanca.
• SF2: Winner of Al Masry vs CR Belouizdad will host the first leg against the winner of AS Otoho vs Zamalek SC.

The semi-finals will be played on 12 April (first leg) and 19 April (second leg).

The team advancing from the semi-finals will host the first leg of the final on 9 May, with the decisive second leg scheduled for 16 May.

With regional rivalries, heavyweight pedigrees, and emerging contenders all in the mix, the knockout stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup promises high drama as clubs across North and Central Africa vie for continental glory.

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