USM Alger Beats Olympique Safi 1-0 in CAF Confederation Cup Match on 2025-11-28

In a tightly contested encounter at Stade de la Massira, USM Alger emerged victorious over Olympique Safi with a narrow 1-0 win in Match Round 2 of the CAF Confederation Cup. The lone goal of the match came in the 84th minute courtesy of Zakaria Draoui, who proved to be the hero for the Algerian side.

The match started with both teams showing intent and determination, with Olympique Safi looking to capitalize on home advantage and secure a positive result. USM Alger, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience and composure as they aimed to take control of the proceedings.

The first half saw both teams create a few half-chances, but neither side was able to break the deadlock. Olympique Safi showed glimpses of their attacking prowess, while USM Alger remained organized at the back, thwarting any potential threats.

As the match wore on, the intensity increased, with both teams pushing for that crucial breakthrough. It was USM Alger who eventually found the breakthrough in the 84th minute when Zakaria Draoui unleashed a clinical finish to put his side ahead. The goal injected a sense of urgency into Olympique Safi’s play, but they were unable to find the equalizer as USM Alger held on for the win.

The victory sees USM Alger secure a crucial three points in the CAF Confederation Cup, propelling them into a favorable position in the group standings. Olympique Safi, on the other hand, will be left ruing their missed opportunities as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.

Overall, it was a hard-fought contest between two determined sides, with USM Alger ultimately emerging victorious thanks to Zakaria Draoui’s decisive strike. The result highlights the competitive nature of the CAF Confederation Cup and sets the stage for more thrilling encounters in the tournament.

• Olympique Safi will play with San-Pédro. January 25 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.
• USM Alger will play with Djoliba. January 25 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.

Olympique Safi

• Hamza Hamiani (6.2)
• H. Semmoumy (7.2)
• Faraji Karmoune (6.9)
• Yassine Kordani (6.9)
• Saad Morsli (6.9)
• Fred Duval Ngoma (6.3)
• W. Rhailouf (5.9)
• S. Errahouli (6.7)
• S. El Moudane (6.7)
• Anass Eddaou (6.6)
• C. El Bahri (6.3)

USM Alger

Substitutions:

Olympique Safi

• C. El Bahri (M. Kone, 63)
• S. El Moudane (A. Qassaq, 63)
• H. Semmoumy (A. Soufeir, 75)
• Anass Eddaou (K. LKoucha, 75)
• Fred Duval Ngoma (A. Mkhair, 75)

USM Alger

• A. Tendeng (G. Likonza, 72)
• A. Khaldi (R. Benayad, 72)
• H. Ghacha (G. Guenaoui, 86)
• Zakaria Draoui (H. Loucif, 87)

Ball possession:

In a riveting encounter between Olympique Safi and USM Alger, the battle for dominance was fiercely contested on the field. The ball possession statistics revealed a closely fought contest, with Olympique Safi commanding 45% of possession, while USM Alger held 55% of the ball.

Olympique Safi displayed their attacking prowess by registering a total of 8 shots on target, with 4 shots finding their mark on goal. Among the players leading the charge in front of goal was the dynamic C. El Bahri, whose relentless efforts kept the opposition defense on their toes throughout the match.

USM Alger, on the other hand, showcased their offensive capabilities by unleashing a total of 14 shots on target, although only 2 managed to hit the back of the net. A. Khaldi stood out as the standout performer for USM Alger, demonstrating clinical finishing with his accurate strikes on goal.

Overall, both teams demonstrated their attacking intent and prowess, making for an enthralling spectacle for fans and neutrals alike. The match was a testament to the competitive nature of football, with each side leaving everything on the pitch in pursuit of victory.

Passes:

In a tightly contested match between Olympique Safi and USM Alger, passing accuracy played a crucial role in shaping the outcome. Yassine Kordani of Olympique Safi displayed exceptional precision with an impressive pass accuracy of 87% from a total of 48 passes. Meanwhile, Che Fondoh Malone Junior of USM Alger showcased his prowess on the ball with an 86% pass accuracy rate from 69 passes.

Despite the numerical advantage in total passes for Che Fondoh Malone Junior, it was Saad Morsli of Olympique Safi who made a significant impact by delivering a key pass during the match. On the contrary, H. Ghacha of USM Alger played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for his team by providing three key passes throughout the game.

The match, characterized by strategic passing and calculated plays, exemplified the importance of precision and vision in dictating the flow of the game. Both teams demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities through efficient passing.

As the final whistle blew, it was evident that passing accuracy played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the game, with each player contributing significantly to their team’s performance. The match served as a testament to the importance of precision and accuracy in the game of football, highlighting the skill and strategic acumen of players like Yassine Kordani, Che Fondoh Malone Junior, Saad Morsli, and H. Ghacha.

Defense:

In a fiercely contested match between Olympique Safi and USM Alger, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their resilience and tactical acumen. The game was a true battle of wits and physicality, with interceptions and blocks playing a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

USM Alger’s defense stood tall, registering an impressive total of 13 interceptions throughout the match. Islam Merili was a standout performer in this regard, leading his team with 3 crucial interceptions that disrupted Olympique Safi’s attacking rhythm. Seif Eddine Athamnia also made his presence felt with 3 interceptions, showcasing his ability to read the game and snuff out danger.

On the other hand, Olympique Safi put up a valiant defensive effort, recording a total of 5 interceptions. H. Semmoumy led the charge for the home side with 2 interceptions, demonstrating his awareness and anticipation to cut off passing lanes and thwart USM Alger’s advances. Yassine Kordani also made a notable contribution with 1 interception, showing his commitment to the defensive cause.

Both teams displayed a high level of defensive organization and discipline, with blocks and interceptions playing a crucial role in neutralizing the opposition’s attacking threats. The match was a testament to the importance of defensive solidity in modern football, with both Olympique Safi and USM Alger showcasing their defensive acumen and resilience throughout the contest.

In the end, USM Alger’s defensive efficiency proved to be the difference, as they managed to secure a hard-fought victory thanks to their astute defensive work. The match served as a reminder of the old adage that defense wins championships, highlighting the crucial role that interceptions and blocks play in shaping the outcome of football matches at the highest level.

Face-to-face:

In a gripping showdown between Olympique Safi and USM Alger, the match was defined by intense face-to-face duels for the ball. The leaders in this aspect were undeniably Che Fondoh Malone Junior of USM Alger with an impressive 9 face-to-face fights, closely followed by C. El Bahri of Olympique Safi with 6 such battles.

The match kicked off with both teams showing great determination and skill on the pitch. USM Alger’s Che Fondoh Malone Junior proved to be a formidable force, constantly engaging in physical battles to win possession for his team. His relentless pursuit of the ball set the tone for USM Alger’s aggressive style of play.

On the other hand, Olympique Safi’s C. El Bahri displayed resilience and tenacity in his duels for the ball. Despite facing a tough opponent in Che Fondoh Malone Junior, El Bahri held his ground and fought tirelessly to regain possession for his team.

As the match progressed, the intensity of the face-to-face duels only increased, with both players showcasing their determination and skill. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as they witnessed the fierce competition between these two talented individuals.

In the end, USM Alger emerged victorious, thanks in part to the outstanding performance of Che Fondoh Malone Junior in the face-to-face duels. His relentless energy and fighting spirit proved to be a game-changer for his team.

Overall, the match was a thrilling display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Both Che Fondoh Malone Junior and C. El Bahri showcased their abilities in the face-to-face duels, leaving a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Hocine Dehiri (USM Alger) at 88 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Olympique Safi – W
• USM Alger – W

Top 5 CAF Confederation Cup scorers:

1. Mohamed El Sayed Hashem (2, AL Masry)
2. Dillan Peter Solomons (1, Kaizer Chiefs)
3. Chadoma Mukeni (1, Maniema Union)
4. Salaheddine Errahouli (1, Olympique Safi)
5. Peter Musukuma (1, ZESCO United)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Olympique Safi will play with San-Pédro. January 25 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.
• USM Alger will play with Djoliba. January 25 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.