A first-half penalty from captain Zinedine Belaid was enough to earn Algerian side USM Alger a shock 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Friday night.
The historic win seals a maiden Super Cup title for the Algerian club who were superb defensively to cling on to their slender lead amid intense pressure.
The Algerian side qualified to play in the Super Cup after they defeated Yanga SC of Tanzania in the final of the Confederation Cup while Ahly beat Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Playing at the King Fahd International Stadium, the game was keenly contested, but Zinedine Belaid’s penalty in the 43rd minute decided the game after the referee consulted VAR and awarded a penalty for handball.
Al Ahly, who were chasing a record-extending ninth Super Cup crown, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances but could not find a way past an inspired goalkeeper Alexis Nabout.
Al Ahly dominated the second half in an attempt to pull level, but the Algerians clung on heroically for a famous victory to spark wild celebrations.
The win avenges their defeat by Al Ahly in the same final two years ago and underlines the progress made under coach Abdelhak Benchikha.
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