Another crowd trouble overshadows African football in Morocco, CAF to investigate incident

A dramatic and chaotic semi-final second leg match ensued between USM Alger in their CAF Confederation Cup match against Olympique Safi, which was delayed by over an hour following crowd disturbances at the Al Massira Al Khadra Stadium in Morocco.

This comes just THREE MONTHS after the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in the North African country was overshadowed by a near-boycott and crowd violence that marred Africa’s flagship sports event.

The match, which eventually resumed under tight security, ended in a 1-1 draw, sending the Algerian side through on the away goals rule after a goalless first leg in Algiers. However, the football itself was overshadowed by pre-match scenes that have drawn widespread international criticism and prompted calls for investigation.

Tensions had been building ahead of kick-off in Safi, with both teams aware that a place in the final against Egypt’s Zamalek was at stake. The atmosphere inside the stadium quickly deteriorated as sections of the crowd began throwing objects onto the pitch, escalating into a full pitch invasion that forced match officials to halt proceedings.

Players from both teams were instructed to return to the dressing rooms as security forces worked to restore order. The delay lasted approximately 90 minutes before authorities managed to stabilise the situation, allowing the match to resume in front of a reduced and more controlled crowd.

When play eventually got underway, both sides attempted to refocus on the task at hand despite the disrupted rhythm and charged atmosphere. USM Alger struck first, taking the lead late in the first half through a penalty that shifted the balance of the tie in their favour.

Olympique Safi responded in the second half, equalising through a well-taken header that reignited hope among the home supporters. Yet despite their efforts and dominance in spells, the Moroccan side were unable to find a decisive second goal, falling short of overturning the deficit due to the away goals rule.

The result sees USM Alger reach the Confederation Cup final for the second time in their history, where they will face Zamalek in a highly anticipated North African showdown. For Safi, the night ended in disappointment both on and off the pitch, with their campaign overshadowed by the disorder that preceded the match.

The incidents in Safi have sparked strong reactions across the global football community. International media outlets, including Spain’s AS and Cadena SER, described the scenes as “a dark night” for African football, highlighting concerns over stadium safety and organisation at a critical stage of a major continental competition.

Reports suggest that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to open an official investigation into the events, with potential disciplinary measures expected against those found responsible. The governing body is likely to examine both security arrangements and crowd management protocols to prevent similar occurrences in future matches.

The Safi disturbances come amid heightened scrutiny of matchday organisation in African competitions, following recent incidents that have raised questions about safety and governance. While the football ultimately delivered a finalist, the events surrounding the match have left a lasting mark on what should have been a showcase occasion.

As attention now turns to the Confederation Cup final, CAF faces the dual challenge of ensuring both sporting excellence and improved matchday security, as the continent’s biggest competitions continue to grow in global visibility.