Former Simba SC defender Che Malone has finally lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title after helping USM Alger defeat Zamalek SC 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final played at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night, May 16, 2026.
The triumph comes just one season after the Cameroonian defender suffered heartbreak with Simba, who lost last season’s Confederation Cup final against RS Berkane.
USM Alger were crowned champions after a tense two-legged final ended 1-1 on aggregate. Zamalek won the second leg 1-0 through an early Oday Al-Dabbagh penalty, canceling out USM Alger’s first-leg victory by the same scoreline in Algiers.
With neither side able to find another goal in normal time or extra time, the title was decided through penalties in front of a packed Cairo crowd.
Both teams showed remarkable composure during the shootout, successfully converting their opening seven spot-kicks before the decisive moment arrived when Mohamed Shehata blasted Zamalek’s eighth penalty over the crossbar.
USM Alger substitute Tending then stepped up and calmly converted the winning penalty to spark wild celebrations among the Algerian side.
The victory marks USM Alger’s second Confederation Cup crown after their first triumph in 2023 and also secures qualification for the upcoming CAF Super Cup against either Mamelodi Sundowns or FAR Rabat.
In addition to the prestigious title, USM Alger will also pocket a record prize money of $4 million following the increase introduced by Confederation of African Football.
Zamalek had started the match aggressively and took the lead in the fifth minute after Adam Kayed was fouled inside the penalty area by Che Malone. Palestinian striker Al-Dabbagh confidently converted from the spot to level the aggregate score at 1-1.
The Egyptian giants nearly doubled their advantage moments later, but Mohamed Ismail’s goal was ruled out for offside.
USM Alger gradually gained control of the contest, with Ahmed Khaldi emerging as the visitors’ main attacking threat throughout the game.
One of the key moments came late in the match when Zamalek forward Nasser Mansi produced a powerful header in the 85th minute, only for goalkeeper Osama Benbout to make a brilliant save and keep the Algerian side alive.
For Zamalek, the defeat marked a painful end to a promising continental campaign and the first time in the club’s history they have lost an African final through a penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, USM Alger coach Lamine Ndiaye celebrated another major continental achievement as his side once again etched their name into African football history.
