Zamalek suffered CAF Confederation Cup final heartbreak as USM Alger win on penalties in Cairo.
In front of a packed Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek took an early lead through an Oday Dabbagh penalty. But instead of pushing for a second goal to overturn their 1-0 first-leg defeat in Algiers, the home side ceded possession to their opponents who were more dangerous on goal.
The match went directly to penalties after the 90 minutes, and Zamalek captain Mohamed Shehata missed his side’s eighth kick. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mohamed Awad, who had replaced the injured Mahdi Soliman in the first half, failed to save any of the visitors’ spot-kicks as the Algerian club sealed an 8-7 shootout victory.
Having missed out on what would have been a third title in the competition and a timely financial boost amid their recent troubles, Zamalek will now switch their focus to the final matchday of the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday. They need just a single point against Ceramica Cleopatra to secure their first league title since 2022 and seal a long-awaited return to the CAF Champions League.
Zamalek
Al Mahdi Soliman (GK)
Mohamed Awad (GK) 30′
Mohamed Ibrahim
Mohamed Ismail
Hossam Abdelmaguid
Ahmed Abou El Fotouh
Ahmed Esho 82′
Abdalla El Said
Mohamed Shehata
Adam Kaied
Mohamed El Sayed 61′
Juan Alvina
Oday Dabbagh
Nasser Mansy 82′
Chico Banza
Seifeddine Jaziri 61′
USM Alger
Oussama Benbot (GK)
Saâdi Radouani
Che Malone
Hocine Dehiri
Haithem Loucif
Brahim Benzaza
Ilyés Chétti 90+2′
Islam Merili
Glody Likonza 69′
Zakaria Draoui
Aimé Tendeng
Dramane Kamagate
Riad Benayad 89′
Ahmed Khaldi
