USM Alger were crowned champions of the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Zamalek SC 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Cairo International Stadium.
Zamalek won the second leg 1-0, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1 after the two-legged final, before the Algerian side prevailed in the penalty shootout to secure their second Confederation Cup title in club history.
The match saw relative control from USM Alger, while Zamalek surprisingly retreated defensively despite taking an early lead in the first half.
Zamalek ended the opening half ahead by one goal, scored by Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh from the penalty spot in the fifth minute.
USM Alger dominated possession for large periods of the first half, while Zamalek relied mainly on counterattacks. However, the Algerian side failed to convert their dominance into clear scoring opportunities.
The first half also witnessed an enforced substitution for Zamalek after goalkeeper Elhany Soliman suffered an injury, with Mohamed Awad coming on as his replacement.
The pattern of play remained largely unchanged in the second half, as USM Alger continued to dictate proceedings while Zamalek dropped deeper defensively. The match ended with a 1-0 victory for the Egyptian side, sending the final to a penalty shootout, where USM Alger emerged victorious 8-7.
The triumph marks USM Alger’s second CAF Confederation Cup title after their first success in 2023, while Zamalek had previously lifted the trophy twice, in 2019 and 2024.
Zamalek Starting Lineup
Head coach Moatamed Gamal fielded the following lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Elhany Soliman
- Defense: Ahmed Fatouh – Hossam Abdelmaguid – Mohamed Ismail – Mohamed Ibrahim
- Midfield: Mohamed Shehata – Adam Kaied – Abdallah El Said – Chico Banza – Juan Pazzera
- Attack: Oday Dabbagh
The substitutes included Mohamed Awad, El Sayed Osama, Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh”, Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Esho”, Mohamed El Sayed, Ahmed Rabie, Ahmed Sherif, Nasser Mansi, and Seif Al-Jaziri .
Moroccan professional Ben Taik was absent from Zamalek’s squad after being sent off in the first-leg encounter.
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USM Alger Stun Zamalek with Dramatic Last-Gasp Victory in CAF Confederation Cup Final First Leg
