In an impressive display, Algerian club USM Alger secured their place in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 2-0 victory over Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in the second leg of the semifinals.
The match took place at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers. Khaled Bousseliou opened the scoring in the first half, and substitute Ismail Belkacemi sealed the win with a late goal. With the first leg ending in a goalless draw in Ivory Coast, USM Alger advanced on aggregate.
They will now face Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC in the final, with the first leg scheduled to be held in Dar es Salaam on May 28.
The stadium was filled with approximately 60,000 passionate supporters who created an electric atmosphere throughout the match. ASEC Mimosas put up a strong defense in the early stages, but a lapse in concentration allowed USM Alger to break the deadlock in the 28th minute. Bousseliou received a quick throw-in on the left wing, evaded ASEC defender Anthony Tra Bi, and calmly finished past goalkeeper Charles Folly, igniting the crowd with celebration.
ASEC regrouped during halftime and came out with renewed attacking intent in the second half. Within three minutes, USM Alger nearly conceded a comical own goal when goalkeeper Oussama Benbout’s clearance struck his own defender and narrowly missed the goal.
Despite ASEC’s efforts, they were denied a clear penalty shout in the 73rd minute when Salifou Diarrassouba was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on.
In the 80th minute, USM Alger sealed their victory and put the result beyond doubt. A long ball from Benbout bounced towards the ASEC penalty area, and Belkacemi, who had just come on as a substitute, cleverly positioned himself between Folly and the defense to collect the ball. He skillfully lifted a shot over the oncoming keeper, securing the second goal for USM Alger.
USM Alger’s impressive performance delighted their passionate supporters and propelled them into the final, where they will aim to claim the CAF Confederation Cup title.
