The Algerian Union of the Capital won the African Confederation Cup title for the first time in its history, despite its 1-0 defeat by its guest, Young Africans of Tanzania, today, Saturday.
USMA benefited from its 2-1 first-leg victory in Tanzania last week to win the title, taking advantage of the away goal rule, after a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
USMA entered the match full of confidence after winning the first leg and calling up four players to the Algerian squad for the first time.
But the beginning was disastrous when Saadi Radwani caused a penalty kick that the referee did not hesitate to award after his intervention on Kennedy Musonda before the completion of the fifth minute.
And Shabani managed to score the net successfully and ignite the match.
Abdelhak Ben Sheikha, the coach of the Union of the Capital, seemed angry at his players, and pointed out to them that they were still asleep and asked them to be vigilant as they continued to flounder.
Khaled Bousleou sent a cross pass, which Ayman Mahyous headed in with a header near the goal, after half an hour of play.
Adam Alilat intervened to save Al-Ittihad Al-Asimah from a dangerous opportunity, as he cleared the ball before it reached Viston Miley, who was facing goalkeeper Osama Bin Bout.
USMA had the most dangerous opportunity in stoppage time for the first half, when Islam Marili took a free kick to Boslio, who hit it directly, but goalkeeper Djegui Diarra saved it steadily.
USMA was the better side at the start of the second half, while Young Africans relied on counter-attacks and long-range attempts.
Al-Ittihad Al-Asimah won a penalty kick after Ibrahim Hamad intervened on Tumisang Orboni, the owner’s striker, in the 56th minute.
Zinedine Belaid advanced to hit the ball, but goalkeeper Diarra saved it, and it bounced back to Mahyous, who fired it into the goalkeeper’s hand.
With the passage of time, Young Africans intensified their attempts, but without any danger in the goal of Bin Bout, who joined the squad of Djamel Belmadi, the Algerian coach.
