Zamalek won the second leg 1-0 through an early penalty by Oday Dabbagh, but the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate following USM Alger’s first-leg victory in Algiers last weekend. The Algerians then held their nerve in the shootout to secure the continental title, adding to the trophy they first won in 2023.

The hosts made a dream start, levelling the aggregate score within five minutes. Adam Kaied was brought down inside the penalty area by Che Malone Junior, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Dabbagh calmly converted to hand the White Knights a 1-0 lead on the night.

Zamalek, however, suffered an early setback when goalkeeper Al Mahdi Soliman was forced off injured before the half-hour mark and replaced by Mohamed Awad.

Before his substitution, Soliman had produced an important save to deny Islam Merili’s long-range effort that appeared destined for the top corner. Despite dominating possession for long spells, USM Alger struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in a tense and scrappy first half.

The visitors nearly found a crucial away goal shortly after the restart when Ahmed Khaldi fired wide from the edge of the box.

As the match progressed, nerves and tension intensified on and off the pitch, with several heated exchanges adding pressure on the match officials as the prospect of penalties drew closer.

Zamalek almost settled the contest late on when substitute Nasr Mansy connected with a cross from the right, but goalkeeper Oussama Benbot made a vital save to tip the header over the bar in the 85th minute.

With the aggregate score locked at 1-1 after full time, the final went straight to penalties. The two sides converted 14 consecutive spot kicks before Zamalek’s Mohamed Shehata blasted his effort over the bar. Glody Likonza then converted the decisive penalty to hand USM Alger a famous triumph.

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Zamalek trail 1-0 after a tense first leg in Algiers last weekend and must now produce another memorable continental comeback in front of an expected capacity crowd in Cairo.

The Egyptian side will draw confidence from an impressive home record in the competition, having lost only once in 24 Confederation Cup matches on home soil. They have also never conceded more than one goal at home in the tournament.

However, USM Alger arrive in Cairo with growing belief and momentum.

The Algerian club are unbeaten in their last three Confederation Cup matches against Egyptian opposition, winning two and drawing one while keeping clean sheets in all three encounters.

They also carry the form of a side that has lost only once in their last 19 matches in the competition, underlining why they are now just 90 minutes away from another continental title.

Saturday’s final is expected to provide another dramatic chapter in a rivalry already marked by controversy, late tension and tactical intensity.

Zamalek will be encouraged by another significant statistic — the club has never lost back-to-back matches in the Confederation Cup across 50 games played in the competition. That record will now be severely tested against a disciplined USM Alger side that frustrated them repeatedly in the first leg.

The Algerians created numerous opportunities in Algiers, attempting 23 shots — the highest by any team in a Confederation Cup final since records began in the 2016-17 season.

Much of USM Alger’s attacking threat has come from midfielder Ahmed Khaldi, who is joint top scorer in this season’s competition with four goals. Three of his last four goals have come from the penalty spot, highlighting the Algerian side’s efficiency in pressure situations.

For Zamalek, defensive midfielder Mohamed Ismaeil produced one of the standout individual performances of the first leg with seven tackles, one of the highest totals ever recorded in a Confederation Cup final.

The match will be officiated by Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho.

With continental glory at stake and the aggregate score delicately poised, Saturday’s showdown in Cairo is shaping into one of the most finely balanced CAF Confederation Cup finals in recent years.

For Zamalek, it is a chance to add another famous African night to their rich history. For USM Alger, it is an opportunity to confirm their emergence as one of the continent’s most resilient and dangerous cup sides.

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The battle for the Nigeria Premier Football League’s remaining CAF Confederation Cup ticket will go down to the wire on the final day of the season, with Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City locked in a tense race for third place.

While title contenders,  Enugu Rangers International and Rivers United, have already secured Nigeria’s slots in next season’s CAF Champions League, the contest for the Confederation Cup place remains delicately poised.

Shooting Stars currently occupy third position with 60 points, holding a narrow two-point advantage over fourth-placed Ikorodu City, who sit on 58 points ahead of the 24 May decisive fixtures.

The Ibadan side is in pole position and needs only to avoid defeat away to Niger Tornadoes to confirm a return to continental football next season.

However, Ikorodu City still has a fighting chance of snatching the ticket.

The Lagos-based club must defeat title-chasing Rangers and hope Shooting Stars stumble against Niger Tornadoes to overturn the deficit and leapfrog the Oluyole Warriors into third place.

Their clash against Rangers is expected to rank among the standout fixtures of the final day, with both teams carrying huge ambitions into the encounter.

For Ikorodu City, the situation revives painful memories from last season when they chased a continental ticket from two fronts but ended up empty-handed.

The club narrowly missed out on third place after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to eventual champions Remo Stars in Ikenne on the final day, despite taking the lead in the encounter. The result pushed them down to fourth position.

Their hopes of reaching the continent through the Federation Cup also ended in heartbreak after a penalty shootout loss to Abakaliki FC in the semi-finals following a goalless draw.

Now, with another opportunity within reach, Ikorodu City will hope fortune finally smiles on them as they seek what would be a historic continental qualification.

With the title race, continental qualification battle, and survival struggles all still unresolved, the final day of the NPFL season is set to deliver tension and drama across the country.

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Ahmed Khaldi converted the spot kick ​after Zamalek thought they had snatched ⁠a late winner through Brazilian substitute Juan ​Alvina, who ran half the length of ​the pitch to tuck away a superb individual effort.

But the strike was ruled out, and play ​was brought back for a foul in ​the build-up when VAR found Hossam Abdelmaguid had caught ‌Rayane ⁠Mahrouz with a knee in the back.

Early in the second half, Zamalek’s Angolan import Chico Banza had a looping effort ​over USMA ​goalkeeper Oussama ⁠Benbot cleared off the line by defender Hocine Dehiri

USMA enjoyed ​fervent support but will now be ​up ⁠against it in Cairo when Zamalek host the second leg next Saturday.

Zamalek previously won ⁠the ​Confederation Cup in 2019 ​and 2024, while USMA were victors in 2023.

-Reuters

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The eagerly anticipated showdown at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 is expected to set the tone for what promises to be another fiercely contested final in Africa’s secondary club competition, with not only continental prestige at stake but also a record first prize of USD 4 million for the eventual winners.

USM Alger, champions in 2023, will be aiming to reclaim the title they won after edging Tanzania’s Young Africans on away goals in a dramatic two-legged final. The Algerian side booked their place in this season’s final through another tense away-goals triumph, eliminating Morocco’s Olympic Club Safi after a 1-1 aggregate draw.

For Zamalek, the final presents an opportunity to further cement their reputation as one of Africa’s elite clubs. The Egyptian giants lifted the Confederation Cup in 2019 and again in 2024, beating Morocco’s RS Berkane on both occasions after nail-biting aggregate scorelines.

The White Knights also had to navigate a difficult semi-final path this season, edging fellow Algerian side CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a crucial away victory inspired by Brazilian forward Juan Alvina.

Recent history suggests little will separate the two finalists. Several Confederation Cup finals in recent years have been decided on away goals or penalties, and another tight contest is widely expected over the two legs.

Saturday’s opening encounter in Algiers will be officiated by Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida, while Gabonese official Pierre Atcho will handle the decisive return leg in Cairo on 16 May.

With a passionate home crowd expected behind them, USM Alger will look to establish an advantage before travelling to the intimidating atmosphere of Cairo International Stadium for the second leg.

Zamalek, however, arrive with vast continental experience and a proven ability to thrive under pressure in away fixtures, setting the stage for a compelling battle between North African heavyweights.

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The result handed the Algerian side progression on away goals following a goalless first leg in Algiers, ending Safi’s historic run at the semi-final stage.

The decisive encounter in Safi was overshadowed early on by crowd disturbances involving visiting supporters, forcing a delay of one hour and 20 minutes before kick-off. Despite the chaotic build-up, both sides delivered a high-intensity contest befitting the stakes.

USM Alger struck a crucial blow just before half-time when Ahmed Khaldi calmly converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, putting the visitors ahead and firmly in control of the tie.

The opening half was played at a relentless pace, with both teams combining for 17 shots — one of the highest first-half tallies in this season’s tournament. Olympique Safi, backed by their home crowd, created the bulk of the chances but were repeatedly frustrated in front of goal.

The Moroccan side’s persistence eventually paid off in the 75th minute when substitute Moussa Koné rose highest to head home an equaliser, sparking hopes of a late comeback.

However, Safi were unable to find the decisive second goal. Despite registering an impressive 41 attempts across both legs, they managed just one goal against a disciplined and well-organised USM Alger defence that held firm under sustained pressure in the closing stages.

The result marks a significant milestone for USM Alger, who reached the Confederation Cup final for the second time in their history, becoming the first Algerian club to do so twice after lifting the trophy in the 2022/23 season.

For Olympique Safi, the exit is bittersweet. They leave the competition unbeaten in their last five matches but are undone by inefficiency in front of goal. Their run of five consecutive draws sets a record in a single edition of the tournament — a testament to their resilience, but also their missed opportunities.

USM Alger will now face Zamalek SC in what promises to be a thrilling final, after the Egyptian giants advanced past CR Belouizdad.

The first leg of the final is scheduled to take place in Algeria next month, with the return leg in Cairo a week later, setting the stage for a compelling battle between two continental heavyweights.

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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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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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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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The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).

The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.

Road to the Finals Takes Shape

The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.

With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.

In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.

Strategic Importance for Clubs

Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.

Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.

All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.

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