USM Alger secured the Algerian Cup title with a commanding 2-0 victory over CR Belouizdad in the final, with Congolese international Glody Likonza playing a part in what turned out to be a season-saving triumph for the capital club.
The final, held under intense pressure and high expectations, saw USM Alger assert their dominance early, netting both goals in the first half.
Likonza, who started the match on the bench, was brought on in the second half, providing composure and stability as the team saw out the result. His compatriot and fellow Congolese international, Kevin Mondeko, was absent from the matchday squad.
For USM Alger, the cup success was not just silverware—it represented redemption. After a league campaign that began with promise but quickly unraveled, the club needed a strong finish to avoid a season defined by underachievement.
Winning the cup ensured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup next season, a much-needed reward for a side that failed to meet expectations in domestic league play.
Despite starting the league season with a string of positive results that briefly placed them among the league leaders, USM Alger struggled for consistency.
The team’s performances fell short of the ambitions set by a management group that had invested heavily at the start of the campaign. The cup win, therefore, arrives as a crucial moment of respite, allowing the team and its supporters a positive note on which to end a turbulent season.
The future of both Likonza and Mondeko remains uncertain, with the Algerian Cup final marking the official end of their current contracts.
Both players are understood to be open to extensions, and discussions are expected to take place in the coming days. Likonza’s contribution, particularly in the latter stages of the season and in the final itself, may bolster his chances of securing a new deal with the club.
Management at USM Alger will now be under pressure to make key decisions—not just regarding the futures of their Congolese duo but also in reinforcing the squad ahead of a busy schedule next season that includes continental competition.
The club’s fanbase, which has endured a rollercoaster campaign, will be hoping for more stability and consistency as the team looks to build on its Algerian Cup success.
While the trophy marks an uplifting end to an otherwise disappointing league season, there is widespread recognition within the club that much work lies ahead.
A reassessment of the squad, technical staff, and recruitment strategies is anticipated in the coming weeks as USM Alger aim to reassert themselves as a major force in Algerian and African football.
For Glody Likonza, the final may have been his last appearance in USM colours—or the beginning of a renewed chapter with the club that has just lifted its morale and hopes with a much-needed title.
