USM Alger coach Lamine N’Diaye: ‘I believe both teams will have to be at their best to win’
USM Alger coach Lamine N’Diaye has underlined the scale of the challenge awaiting his team against Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final, which will be played on Saturday, May 9, at the July 5 Olympic Stadium in Algiers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, the coach said preparations were taking place in ideal conditions.
He noted that the team are working in complete calm, giving the technical staff and players the best possible environment in which to focus before the decisive fixture.
The Senegalese coach also emphasised that the title will not be decided in the first leg alone, but over the two matches. He said both teams will have to perform at their best in each game, especially given Zamalek’s status and experience on the continental stage.
N’Diaye also spoke about the psychological side of the final, saying players do not need extra motivation for such matches. Instead, he said, the focus should be on controlling their enthusiasm and drawing strength from the supporters, whom he described as the “12th player” capable of making the difference in such a big occasion against a strong African opponent.
CAFonline.com: How are preparations going for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final?
Lamine N’Diaye: Preparations are going well. In fact, I would say they are going very well, because we are benefiting from the facilities at the National Teams Preparation Centre in Algeria. We are really in complete calm and we have everything we need to be in a clear state of mind.
In any case, we are working calmly and peacefully, and we are in the environment we wanted. To sum it up, things are going very well.
You will face Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg in Algeria. Do you think the title will largely be decided in this match?
The idea that this final will be decided in the first leg is not correct. There are two matches, and I believe both teams will have to be at their best, and I really mean at their best, in both matches if they hope to win.
It is true that Zamalek no longer need any introduction. They are one of the giants of the continent and they have experience in big matches.
You have previously won domestic and continental titles as a coach with different clubs. How will you motivate the USM Alger players to win this trophy?
You know, when you play a final, naturally you do not even need to motivate the players. They are already motivated themselves.
How many footballers spend their entire careers without reaching this level? I think around 90%, I would say. It is a celebration, a final, and a unique opportunity. Some of them ask themselves the question: will they play another continental final.
I think that makes things easier for us from that point of view as well. It makes our work with the players easier. On the contrary, we have to control the energy because the enthusiasm is very high, and they want to go into battle.
But we have to calm minds. The match must not be played before its time.
How do you view your opponents, who have experience in continental finals?
Zamalek are in very good form, and they may win the Egyptian league, something that has not happened for a long time. I do not remember how many years it has been since they won the Egyptian league.
They really are a very strong team. We saw that in their run through the continental competition. They often win away from home or achieve very good results.
We are on alert and we will try to make sure things go well for us.
A word for the USM Alger supporters?
The 12th player. Our supporters are truly passionate. Believe me, they are capable of making any team excel, and we know they will be there for the occasion.
If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that they will give everything they have. And we need that.
I think in this match we have to be 12 players on the pitch in order to make the difference, because we are playing against a big team in Africa.