Lamine N’Diaye, head coach of USM Alger during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 2nd leg Semifinal match between OC Safi and USM Alger at El Massira Stadium in Safi, Morocco on 19 April 2026 ©Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix
Monday Apr 20, 2026. 11:27
USM Alger head coach Lamine N’Diaye praised his team’s calm demeanor after they reached the CAF Confederation Cup final following a tense 1-1 draw Olympic Safi on Sunday.
Onlookers at the El Massira Stadium witnessed chaotic scenes even before a ball was kicked in the semi-final second leg when a pitch invasion caused kick-off to be delayed by 80 minutes.
USMA refused to leave their dressing room until they were assured by Confederation of African Football (CAF) that conditions were safe and the players displayed a strong mentality once the match finally got underway.
N’Diaye’s side opened the scoring in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the first half when the referee pointed to the spot following a VAR review for handball and Ahmed Khaldi kept his cool to convert the penalty.
Moussa Kone would restore parity with a header on 75 minutes, but the visitors held on to progress on the away-goals rule after the first leg ended in a goalless draw.
A total of 30 minutes were added on for stoppages, with 20 coming at the end of the second half due to constant interruptions after players feigned injury and disputed the decisions of the match official.
“The credit goes to the players. It was a real battle, and we managed to get this qualification. It is deserved,” N’Diaye declared.
“The opponent came back to level the score, but we remained balanced. Even with the events surrounding the match, we managed to stay calm.”
The Senegalese tactician added: “It’s a shame to see so many stoppages in play, it breaks the rhythm and disrupts the players.”