Zamalek defender Mohamed Ismail slams officiating after painful CAF Confederation Cup final defeat

Zamalek defender Mohamed Ismail has launched a strong criticism of the refereeing team following his side’s heartbreaking defeat to USM Alger in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, a match that ended in dramatic penalty shootout heartbreak for the Egyptian giants.

The Egypotian giants lost the title 8–7 on penalties at Cairo Stadium after a tense encounter that ended 1–0 in regulation time, allowing the Algerian side to lift their second Confederation Cup crown.

Despite Zamalek taking control of the match and pushing for the decisive breakthrough, the final was ultimately decided from the spot, where USM Alger held their nerve to edge a historic victory in one of the most tightly contested finals in recent memory.

Following the match, Ismail took to Instagram to express his frustration over what he described as controversial refereeing decisions that, in his view, had a direct impact on the flow of the game and his own condition during the match.

“I never imagined that I would write about this matter, but they knew how to hide footage of the incident — the footage of my injury — from the match director, from VAR, and from the referee who claimed I was the one who collided with his shoulder,” Ismail wrote.

The defender also revealed the physical toll the match had taken on him, claiming he played through injury from the early stages of the game.

“From the fifth minute onwards, I was bleeding throughout the match, and I was unable to help my team in the way I had hoped,” he added.

Ismail further expressed disappointment over what he perceived as a lack of fairness in officiating, while also making an emotional remark about the refereeing team’s conduct after the final whistle.

“I did not feel that justice was served in the match, especially when I saw the refereeing team celebrating after the game,” he stated.

In a passionate closing message, the defender directed words of appreciation to Zamalek supporters, describing them as the backbone and protectors of the club during difficult moments.

“Finally, to the Zamalek fans, you are the only protectors of this club,” he concluded.

The defeat marked a painful moment for Zamalek, who had been aiming to secure continental silverware but instead saw their campaign end in dramatic fashion. The result also carried historic weight, as it was the first time the Egyptian giants lost a continental final via a penalty shootout after previously maintaining a perfect record in such situations.

For USM Alger, the victory confirmed their status as a rising force in African football, securing a second Confederation Cup title and further cementing their place among the continent’s elite clubs.

The final was also significant for Senegalese coach Lamine Ndiaye, who added another continental trophy to his résumé, while Zamalek were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a night of controversy and heartbreak at home.