USM Alger Advances to CAF Confederation Cup Final After Turbulent Clash with Olympique Safi

The two-legged semi-final tie concluded with a 1-1 aggregate score following a 0-0 draw in Algiers over the previous weekend.

USM Alger will now take on Egypts Zamalek in the final on May 9 and 16.

In this African counterpart to the UEFA Europa League, the winners prize stands at a record $4 million, marking a 100 percent rise from the previous seasons award.

The match start was put back by 80 minutes due to rival fans hurling objects, and a Moroccan reporter was said to have been hospitalised after an attack.

Ahmed Khaldi slotted home a penalty in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, giving the Algiers side the lead and forcing Safi to net twice without reply to progress.

Safi pulled one back after 75 minutes as Senegalese replacement Moussa Kone netted his sixth strike in the continental tournament, rising to head in at the back post from a corner kick.

However, the hosts, backed by most of the crowd in the 8000-seat venue in the southern port city, seldom threatened to find another goal.

Following 10 minutes of added time in the opening half, the second period saw an extra 20 minutes tacked on in a fraught game plagued by stoppages.

Participants simulated knocks and repeatedly challenged the Rwandan officials calls, with bottles tossed onto the field and flares briefly filling the air with smoke over the playing surface.

USM Alger lifted the Confederation Cup in 2023 and added a further CAF honour that year by stunning then continental title holders Al Ahly of Egypt in the Super Cup showdown.

Zamalek hold the record for the second highest number of CAF competition successes behind Cairo rivals Al Ahly, with 13 triumphs including two Confederation Cup victories.