USM Alger have been crowned 2026 CAF Confederation Cup champions after a dramatic 8–7 penalty shootout win over Zamalek at the Cairo International Stadium.
The final ended 1–1 on aggregate after Zamalek won the second leg 1–0, forcing the contest into penalties.
Zamalek took early control in front of a lively home crowd, scoring inside 20 minutes, but were unable to find a second goal to seal the title. USM Alger remained resilient throughout a tense and tightly contested match that offered few clear chances.
After 210 minutes of football, the final was decided from the spot, where both sides matched each other until a decisive save by USM Alger’s goalkeeper proved crucial. The Algerian side then converted their final kick to secure victory.
The win gives USM Alger their continental crown since 2023, while Zamalek were left frustrated after missing the chance to defend their title.
