Big week ahead for USM Alger and Zamalek SC as they begin their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final journey

The path to glory and a record USD 4-million first prize begins this week when the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final between USM Alger and Zamalek SC is staged in Algiers on Saturday (kick-off 20h00 local time | 19h00 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 host the first leg at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 before the second leg is played at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, 16 May (21h00 local time | 18h00 GMT).

USM were 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.

Zamalek won their first TotalEnergies 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.

All those results speak to how close finals of the TotalEnergies 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 USD 4 million as CAF continues to invest in its Interclub competitions to grow the football ecosystem on the continent.

TOTALENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP 2025/26 FINAL

First Leg
USM Alger vs Zamalek SC
Date: Saturday, 09 May 2026
Venue: Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria
Kick-off: 20h00 local time | 19h00 GMT
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Second Leg
Zamalek SC vs USM Alger
Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
Kick-off: 21h00 local time | 18h00 GMT
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)

For more on the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, visit www.cafonline.com. 

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