Lamine N’Diaye, coach of USM Alger during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 1st Leg Final match between USM Alger and Zamalek at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, Algeria on 9 May 2026 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix
Monday May 11, 2026. 11:00
USM Alger head coach Lamine N’Diaye believes they have put one hand on the trophy after claiming an “important” 1-0 victory over Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final on Saturday.
Ahmed Khaldi’s controversial 98th-minute penalty at the Stade du 5 Juillet saw USMA take a slender advantage to Cairo next weekend for the second leg, although the White Knights will pose a very different challenge on home soil.
Moatemed Gamal’s side barely threatened the home goal until Juan Alvina found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review and a spot-kick being awarded at the other end.
The Algiers outfit struggled themselves in the final third and N’Diaye admits he will need to look at making some adjustments to the team for the trip to Egypt.
However, the Senegalese tactician hailed the fighting spirit of his players to get the dramatic win and insists they are determined to lift the trophy for the second time in the club’s history.
“The most important thing when playing finals is to win, whatever the performance. We must work to correct some technical aspects,” N’Diaye said in the post-match press conference.
“We achieved an important victory against a big team with continental experience, but the title has not been decided yet. We are one match away from winning the title, and we will fight to return from Egypt with the cup.
“Thank you to the players for the strong spirit they showed. I thank the supporters who were behind this victory.”