The Red and Black have captured their second CAF Confederation Cup following a breathtaking showdown against Zamalek in Cairo. This triumph transcends sport, cementing a decade of solitary dominance by the Soustara club over African football.
There are nights that etch themselves permanently into a nation’s collective memory. The night of Saturday, May 16, 2026, will undeniably remain one of them for millions of Algerians. Following a CAF Confederation Cup second-leg final of rare intensity, USM Alger defeated Zamalek in a dramatic penalty shootout (8-7) at the Cairo International Stadium. In the streets of Algiers, from Soustara to Bab El Oued, across the entire capital and well beyond, an entire population erupted in celebration.
This title marks the second continental coronation in the Algiers-based club’s history for the CAF Cup, following their 2023 breakthrough, solidifying their status as a benchmark of continental football. With this latest piece of silverware, USMA now boasts three African titles in total: two CAF Confederation Cups and one CAF Super Cup. It is a collection unmatched by any other club in Algeria.
To grasp the magnitude of this victory, one must look back at both legs of this legendary final. On May 9, at the 5 Juillet Stadium, inside an electric venue packed with nearly 50,000 supporters, USM Alger struck deep into stoppage time to secure a precious 1-0 victory against Zamalek SC in the first leg. The drama of that opening match was worthy of a cinematic thriller: just as the encounter seemed destined for a goalless draw, the script flipped entirely in injury time. Zamalek initially believed they had snatched a win through the Brazilian player Bezerra, but after a video assistant referee review, the official disallowed the goal for a prior infraction. Moments later, a penalty was awarded to USMA. Khaldi stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick in the 97th minute.
Then came the Cairo showdown. The match exploded into life from the opening whistle. In just the 5th minute, Oday Dabbagh confidently converted a penalty for the hosts, giving the Egyptian side an early advantage in this decisive clash. Level on aggregate over the two legs, the squad managed by coach Lamine N’Diaye established clear dominance, even as the home side sporadically broke the pressure with dangerous counter-attacks. As the clock ticked down, the suspense became agonizing for both camps.
At the final whistle, the two teams remained perfectly deadlocked across the aggregate tie, forcing a definitive penalty shootout. In a nail-biting sequence of events, USM Alger displayed nerves of steel to ultimately prevail 8-7. Mental fortitude and continental experience made the difference in an incredibly tight duel. It was Likonza, the Burkinabé international, who dispatched the decisive penalty following a miss by a Zamalek player, clearing the path for USM Alger to lift the CAF Cup.
Mirroring the scenes from 2023, the first to congratulate the Red and Black was the Head of State himself. President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune lauded USM Alger following their CAF Confederation Cup success against Zamalek. “Congratulations to the champions, USMA, for deservedly winning the African Confederation Cup at the Cairo International Stadium. A historic and grand honor for all of Algeria. Bravo USMA,” he stated, before extending his gratitude to the players, technical staff, management, and the passionate supporters.
The nation’s highest institutions also joined this wave of national pride. The President of the Council of the Nation, Azouz Nasri, declared: “Congratulations to USM Alger for this well-earned trophy in the African Confederation Cup. A fresh exploit that reinforces the standing of Algerian football on the continental stage and reflects the spirit of drive and perseverance that defines the youths of a victorious Algeria.”
Similarly, the Speaker of the National People’s Assembly, Brahim Boughali, hailed a “deserved crowning achievement” and a continental campaign distinguished by the “spirit of resolve and combativeness” of the Algiers players, noting that this trophy confirms the elite position of Algerian football in Africa and serves as a “source of pride for Algerian sport.”
USMA as the Lone Flagbearer of Algerian Football
This crowning achievement did not happen by chance. It is the realization of meticulous preparation, a long-term strategy, and an unwavering commitment to continental competition at a time when, frankly, other Algerian clubs have settled for merely participating in African tournaments without ever dictating their own destinies.
For over a decade, a harsh truth has stared Algerian football in the face: USM Alger is the only domestic club capable of shining, resisting, and conquering in Africa. While other Algerian teams suffered premature exits from continental competitions, falling short against the continent’s elite, the Red and Black kept pushing forward, evolving, and writing the history of national football on the African stage.
In 2023, during the club’s maiden continental title, USMA secured its first CAF Cup against Tanzania’s Young Africans, restoring Algeria’s name to the winners’ circle of this tournament after a lengthy drought. Three years later, they have repeated the feat against one of the most decorated clubs on the African continent, Egypt’s Zamalek. Given the current trajectory of the Algiers outfit, no one would be surprised to see them back in the African final four very soon.
This 2025-2026 campaign will go down as the most successful in the club’s history. USM Alger won its fierce rivalry match against CR Belouizdad to break the record for the most Algerian Cup victories with ten trophies, becoming the most successful club in the history of that competition. This “Decima” in red and black, followed just days later by this second African crown, establishes this squad as the most dominant Algerian football lineup of its generation.
As an added bonus, USM Alger secures a spot in the 2026 CAF Super Cup, where they will challenge the winner of the Champions League final between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s AS FAR. With this victory, the Algerian club also pockets a record prize payout of $4 million, introduced by the Confederation of African Football.