AS Maniema Union held a narrow 2–1 lead over USM Alger late in their CAF Confederation Cup encounter after a dramatic moment saw Ahmed Khaldi denied by the woodwork in the closing stages of the match.

With the clock approaching the final minutes, USM Alger searched for an equalising goal that could bring them level in a tightly contested match.

Their hopes briefly rose in the 83rd minute when Khaldi produced a promising attacking move down the right side of the pitch.

Receiving the ball in space, the Algerian attacker managed to evade defender Ogundare before attempting an audacious lob over the advancing goalkeeper.

The effort appeared to be heading towards the goal and had the potential to change the outcome of the match.

However, the attempt ultimately struck the post, denying USM Alger what would have been a crucial equaliser.

The moment summed up the difficult evening for the Algerian side, who continued to trail despite pressing forward in search of another goal.

The match conditions also played a role as heavy rain increasingly affected the quality of the playing surface.

As the game progressed, the pitch deteriorated, making movement and passing more difficult for both teams.

Despite the challenging conditions, Maniema Union managed to maintain their advantage as the match entered its final stages.

Their 2–1 lead left USM Alger with limited time to mount a comeback.

For the Algerian club, Khaldi’s effort represented one of the most significant opportunities to restore parity during the closing minutes.

The narrow miss highlighted how close the visitors came to altering the course of the contest.

As the match continued under worsening weather conditions, the Congolese side remained ahead while USM Alger pressed forward in search of a late breakthrough in their Confederation Cup encounter.