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The hosts wrap things up with a late strike
USM of Algeria defeated their visitors Zamalek of Egypt (1-0) in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup final today, Saturday evening, witnessing the dominance of the hosts and many missed opportunities and reserves of the white team, which counter-attacked throughout the match.
The only goal of the match was scored by Ahmed Khaled from the penalty spot in the 90th + 8th minute.
Early opportunities
Zamalek squandered an early danger through Chico Panza, who was blocked from close range by Osama Bin But, while Uday Dabagh and Adam Kayed missed other attempts.
USMA controlled most of the next few minutes, with Draman Kamagati, Islam Marilli, Ahmed Khaldi and Brahim Benzaza all missing headers and shots.
In the background of many violations and corner kicks of the Algerian national team, Haytam Lucif received a yellow card in the 17th minute, and Saadi Redouani in the 45th minute.
Intense Algerian pressure
In the second half, USM continued the offensive pressure. Kamagati missed two dangerous headers in the 48th and 51st minutes. The first went near the goal post, and the second was very close to the goal. Zakaria Daravi missed another header.
Goalkeeper Mehdi Suleiman brilliantly stopped the attempts of Ahmed Khaldi and Brahim Ben Zaza. After an hour of play, USM made three substitutions in the 73rd minute, with Jolodi Likonza replacing Amy Tinding and Mohamed Buderbala replacing Draman Kamagat in an attempt to revitalize the attack.
Zamalek responded with one substitution in the 74th minute, Adam Kayed being replaced by Juan Bezera.
Last minute madness
Despite the substitutions, Zamalek remained defensively cohesive and relied on quick counter-attacks with Al-Dabbagh, Abdullah Al-Sayed and Chico Panza posing a threat to Ben But’s goal.
In the 76th minute, Islam Marili sent a strong ball outside the penalty area, which went high over the goal of Mahdi Suleiman.
In the 88th minute, Mahdi Suleiman saved his own goal from a certain goal, and in the last moments, another excitement began.
Ahmed Khaled scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot
The first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final. Al-Ittihad Algeria 1-0 Zamalek #African_Confederation_Cup pic.twitter.com/E7gKoBHezC
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 9, 2026
In the 90th minute, Zamalek scored a solo goal in Bezera’s goal + 1, but the video technology shocked the Egyptian team, as replays showed that Egyptian defender Hossam Abdel Majid had been handballed, so the game was converted to a penalty.
In the 90th minute +6 minutes Zamalek’s defender, Moroccan Mahmoud Bentaek, received a red card, who received a second yellow card for objecting to the decision.
Finally, after the atmosphere calmed down, Ahmed Khaledi scored the winning goal of the Algerian national team in the 90th+8th minute.
