2022-23 CAF Confederation holders USM Alger are the 2023 CAF Super Cup champions after the Algerian club defeated Egypt’s Al Ahly by a 1-0 score on Friday evening in Saudi Arabia. USMA captain Zineddine Belaïd scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot towards the end of the first half and led his defense to a clean sheet against last season’s CAF Champions League winners. For Al Ahly it is only the third defeat in the Super Cup from eleven appearances.
An energetic start to the match saw Ahly appear to take the lead inside ten minutes but forward Kahraba was denied a goal by the whistle of the referee after fouling USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbout. Benbout was called into action again later in the first half to push away a firm effort from new Ahly acquisition Reda Slim.
USMA defended well and were rewarded in the 40th minute after Brahim Benzaza was tripped up in the Ahly penalty area by midfielder Marwan Attia. A penalty kick was awarded to the Algerian club and captain Zineddine Belaïd placed a perfect penalty into the corner of the goal past Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Ahly continued to control possession but failed to find a way through the stubborn USMA defense. Left back Ali Maâloul was presented with a shooting opportunity when Mohamed Hany’s cross rolled through the USMA penalty area but the Tunisia national team player could only curl his shot into the arms of Benbout. There were plenty of set piece opportunities for Ahly in the final thirty minutes but the USMA defense was able to hold on for the trophy.
Highlights of the match are below.
