USM Alger, OC Safi Share Spoils in Goalless CAF Confederation Cup Semifinal

USM Alger, OC Safi Share Spoils in Goalless CAF Confederation Cup Semifinal

By Niyi Busari 

USM Alger and OC Safi played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semifinal clash on Saturday, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg, BSNSpots.com.ng reports.

The encounter, held at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, saw the hosts dominate early proceedings, applying sustained pressure and exploiting spaces along Safi’s defensive flanks. Despite their strong start, USM Alger were unable to convert their early momentum into a breakthrough.

A key moment came in the 16th minute when Ahmed Khaldi went down in the penalty area under a challenge, prompting appeals from the home side. Although initially booked for simulation, the referee was later called to review the incident by VAR, but the decision ultimately stood with no penalty awarded.

USM Alger continued to control possession through the first half, with Rayane Mahrouz and Aimé Tendeng combining effectively to create chances. However, clear-cut opportunities remained limited.

OC Safi gradually grew into the match and threatened on the counterattack, with Salaheddine Errahouli proving a constant outlet. The forward came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute, but goalkeeper Oussama Benbot produced a crucial save to deny him.

The tempo increased towards the end of the first half, with both sides creating openings in an end-to-end spell. Nevertheless, neither team managed to find the finishing touch, and the match remained scoreless at the interval.

USM Alger thought they had taken the lead shortly after the restart when Zakaria Draoui headed home in the 51st minute. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for an infringement in the build-up.

The hosts maintained their dominance in possession throughout the second half but struggled to penetrate Safi’s disciplined defensive structure. The visitors, meanwhile, remained dangerous on the break and continued to test the Algerian side intermittently.

VAR again intervened in the 77th minute to disallow a goal from Hocine Dehiri, further frustrating the home side’s efforts to secure an advantage.

In the closing stages, Khaldi came agonisingly close to scoring with a powerful long-range effort, only to be denied by an outstanding save from goalkeeper Youssef El Motie.

With both teams unable to find a decisive goal, the match ended 0-0, setting up a crucial second leg in Morocco where a place in the final will be at stake.