USM Alger booked their place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup after edging past San Pédro in a pulsating 3-2 encounter played away from home.
The Algerian side showed their attacking intent from the opening whistle and were rewarded almost immediately.
The visitors struck in the second minute when Che Malone reacted quickest to a corner, finishing from close range to give USM Alger an early advantage. The pressure continued, and just three minutes later Glody Likonza doubled the lead with an emphatic long-range effort that left the San Pédro goalkeeper with no chance.
San Pédro responded with urgency and found a way back into the contest through Issouf Dosso, who reduced the deficit in the sixth minute to ignite the home crowd. The hosts grew in confidence as the half progressed and were eventually rewarded in the 38th minute when Dosso struck again, calmly converting from inside the box to restore parity before the interval.
The second half developed into an open contest, with both teams pushing forward in search of a decisive goal. Clear chances came and went at either end, keeping the outcome finely balanced as the clock ticked down.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, USM Alger produced a moment of brilliance deep into stoppage time.
In the 90+2nd minute, substitute Mohamed Bouderbala unleashed a superb right-footed strike from outside the area, sending the ball into the net and silencing the home supporters.
The dramatic late winner confirmed a crucial away victory for USM Alger and secured their progression to the quarter-finals of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
