USM Alger won the African Confederation Cup after defeating Egypt’s Zamalek 8-7 in a penalty shootout in the second leg of the final on May 17, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The match finished with a 1-1 aggregate score. USM Alger had won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a controversial stoppage-time penalty [1, 2, 3].
Zamalek took an early lead in the second leg with a fifth-minute penalty converted by Oday Dabbagh [1, 2]. The second leg ended 1-0 in favour of Zamalek, tying the aggregate at 1-1 and forcing a penalty shootout [1, 2, 3].
During the shootout, both teams scored their first seven penalties. The outcome was decided when Zamalek’s Mohamed Shehata missed the eighth penalty, and USM Alger’s Glody Likonza scored his, securing the title 8-7 in the shootout [1, 2].
Ahmed Khaldi, who scored the winning goal in the first leg, came close to equalising in the second leg but missed narrowly after halftime [1, 2].
This victory marked USM Alger’s second CAF Confederation Cup title, following their first win in 2023 [1, 2, 3]. Fans celebrated in both Cairo and Algiers after the final whistle [1, 3].
