USM Alger beat Zamalek on penalties to win African Confederation Cup

CAIRO (Agencies): USM Alger won the African Confederation Cup title after beating Egypt’s Zamalek 8-7 in a penalty shootout in the second leg of the final on Saturday, overcoming a 1-0 defeat on the night to prevail on aggregate. The Algerian side had secured a ⁠1-0 win from a controversial stoppage-time penalty in the first leg. Zamalek struck early when Oday Dabbagh converted a fifth-minute penalty, but the hosts, relying largely on counter-attacks, were unable to extend their advantage. USM Alger came close to equalising after the break, with Ahmed Khaldi — ⁠scorer of the winner in the first leg — sending an effort narrowly wide. With the tie level on aggregate, the match went to penalties, ⁠where both sides converted their first seven kicks. Zamalek’s Mohamed Shehata then missed the eighth attempt before ⁠Glody Likonza sealed victory for the visitors, sparking celebrations among USM Alger supporters at ⁠Cairo International Stadium. The triumph marked USM Alger’s second Confederation Cup title following their success in 2023.