CAF Confed final: Zamalek, USM Alger chase $4m prize

CAIRO — The path to glory and a record $4-million first prize begins when the first-leg of the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final between Egyptian giants Zamalek and USM Alger of Algeria is staged in Algiers on May 9 at 19:00 GMT. Both clubs have been recent winners of the Competition but will look to add their names to the trophy again, further writing them into African football folklore. USM hosts the first-leg at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 before the second-leg is played at the Cairo International Stadium on May 16 at 18:00 GMT, cafonline.com reported. Zamalek won their first CAF Confederation Cup title in 2019, beating RS Berkane of Morocco in the final after a penalty shoot-out. The tie ended 1-1 on aggregate. They repeated that feat in 2024 with victory over the same opponents, this time on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate score. USM was crowned champions in 2023 when they defeated Young Africans of Tanzania in a decider that ended 2-2 on aggregate. The Algerians triumphed on away goals. All those results speak to how close finals of the CAF Confederation Cup have been in recent years and this season should be no exception. Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida will be in charge of the first leg of the final, while experienced Gabonese match official Pierre Atcho will take charge of the return fixture. Zamalek reached the final after edging another Algerian side, CR Belouizdad, 1-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, crucially winning away thanks to a goal from Brazilian Juan Alvina. USM booked their place with an away-goals victory over Moroccan outfit Olympic Club Safi. They drew 0-0 at home and 1-1 away. There is more than prestige at stake for the two finalists, with an increase in the prize money for the winners to a record $4 million as CAF continues to invest in its Interclub competitions to grow the football ecosystem on the continent. CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final First-Leg USM Alger vs Zamalek SC Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 Venue: Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria Kick-off: 19:00 GMT Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania) Second-Leg Zamalek SC vs USM Alger Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt Kick-off: 18:00 GMT Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon) The post CAF Confed final: Zamalek, USM Alger chase $4m prize appeared first on Egyptian Gazette.