USM Alger coach Lamine Ndiaye has warned that his side face a “very difficult” challenge against Egypt’s Zamalek in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final, after guiding the Algerian club through a tough semi-final against Olympique Safi.
The Senegalese coach was speaking after his team secured qualification with a 1-1 draw in Morocco, progressing on away goals following a goalless first leg in Algiers.
The result sets up a highly anticipated North African final, with the first leg scheduled for early May in Algeria and the return match a week later in Cairo.
Despite the achievement, Ndiaye acknowledged that the semi-final had tested his players both physically and mentally, particularly due to repeated disruptions during the second leg in Safi. The match had been delayed and interrupted, affecting the flow of play and the concentration of both teams.
“We achieved a well-deserved qualification despite the circumstances we faced,” Ndiaye said in comments to the media.
“The numerous stoppages caused our players to lose focus somewhat, but the most important thing is that we reached our objective.”
The semi-final proved to be a tense and closely contested affair. USM Alger took the lead just before half-time through Ahmed Khaldi’s penalty, a goal that ultimately proved decisive over the two legs.
Olympique Safi responded in the second half with an equaliser, but were unable to find the second goal they needed to overturn the tie.
Ndiaye praised his players for their resilience in difficult conditions, describing the match as “a real battle” and highlighting the importance of maintaining balance under pressure.
“The credit goes to the players,” he said. “They showed character and discipline, even when the match became complicated.”
The coach also expressed concern over the repeated interruptions during the game, suggesting they had disrupted his team’s rhythm. “It is unfortunate to see these successive stoppages because they affect concentration,” he added. “But we adapted and stayed focused on what mattered.”
Looking ahead to the final, Ndiaye was cautious in his assessment of USM Alger’s chances, emphasising the quality and experience of their opponents. Zamalek reached the final after eliminating CR Belouizdad, and boast one of the strongest defensive records in the competition.
“The final will not be easy for either team,” Ndiaye said. “Zamalek are a great club with a lot of experience in African competitions. We will prepare well and approach the matches with the seriousness they deserve.”
USM Alger, who lifted the Confederation Cup title in 2022-23, are now aiming to become the first Algerian club to win the competition twice.
Their journey to the final has been built on discipline, efficiency and the ability to manage high-pressure situations, particularly away from home.
For Ndiaye, the focus now shifts to ensuring his players recover quickly and prepare tactically for a two-legged final that is expected to be finely balanced.
“We will take it step by step,” he said. “Reaching the final is an important achievement, but we want more. We want to compete and try to bring the trophy back.”
With both teams bringing strong defensive organisation and continental pedigree into the final, the stage is set for a compelling battle that will capture the attention of African football fans across the continent.
Source: Cafonline.com
