USM Alger were content to defend in numbers and will be satisfied with a 0-0 draw against Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semifinal clash. ASEC were in control but could not find a way past USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbout in a strong defensive performance from the Algerian club. USMA are now the favorites to advance to the final but still have plenty of work to do when the teams meet again in Algiers in a week’s time.
The heat and heavy moisture impacted the visitors from Algeria who quickly settled in to defend and try to limit attacks from the hosts. After nearly thirty minutes of timid play, ASEC appeared to snatch the lead when dangerous right back Kouassi Attohoula Yao set up Karamoko Sankara for a goal but the young forward was ruled offsides following a Video Assistant Referee review.
Attohoula continued to be the best source of danger for ASEC. The member of Ivory Coast’s 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) team produced a cross in the 65th minute that bounced through the USMA penalty area to find an open Serge Pokou but the midfielder’s hard shot was excellently saved by Benbout. The hosts had their best look in the 90th minute when a cross from the left was weakly punched to the edge of the area by Benbout but substitute Arthur Bada put his shot wide.
Highlights from the first leg are below.
