Zamalek Beat USM Alger 1-0 to Level Final

Zamalek and USM Alger were forced into a penalty shootout after the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final ended 1-0 in favour of the Egyptian side at Cairo International Stadium.

The result left the two-legged final level at 1-1 on aggregate, after USM Alger had won the first leg 1-0 at the July 5 Stadium in Algeria last Saturday.

Zamalek made a fast start and were awarded a penalty in the second minute after Adam Kaied was brought down inside the box. Oday Dabbagh stepped up and scored in the fifth minute to give the White Knights an early lead and bring the tie level on aggregate.

The first half was full of drama, with Mohamed Ismail suffering a nose injury that required several minutes of treatment before he returned to the pitch. Ismail later thought he had doubled Zamalek’s lead in the 15th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

USM Alger responded with dangerous attacks, forcing goalkeeper Mahdi Soliman into an important save in the 18th minute. The Algerian side also threatened from a free-kick that went over the bar.

Zamalek suffered another setback when Soliman picked up a groin injury and was replaced by Mohamed Awad in the 29th minute. Awad quickly became one of the key figures in the match, producing a superb save in the 44th minute to deny USM Alger an equaliser.

USM Alger increased the pressure after the break, dominating possession for long spells and testing Zamalek with several shots from outside the penalty area. However, the Algerian side failed to find a breakthrough.

Zamalek made changes in the second half, with Seifeddine Jaziri and Mohamed El-Sayed replacing Chico Banza and Adam Kaied in the 61st minute. Later, Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho” and Nasser Mansi came on for Oday Dabbagh and Ahmed Fotouh in the 82nd minute.

Despite USM Alger’s pressure, Zamalek held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, sending the CAF Confederation Cup final to penalties to decide the champion.

Zamalek started the match with Mahdi Soliman in goal, behind Ahmed Fotouh, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Mohamed Ismail and Mohamed Ibrahim in defence. Mohamed Shehata, Abdallah El-Said and Adam Kaied played in midfield, while Chico Banza, Oday Dabbagh and Juan Bezerra led the attack.