USM Alger have been crowned the CAF Confederation Cup champions despite their 1-0 defeat to Tanzania’s Young Africans [Yanga] at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday night.
USMA came into this with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium last weekend.
The win put the Algerian side in good stead ahead of their return leg at home.
However, Yanga started the game on a front foot and broke the deadlock as early as seven minutes into the showdown courtesy of Wadol Shabani, who scored from the spot kick.
After the goal, the home side upped the ante and started to take command of the contest.
USMA continued to push forward in numbers with the hope of finding an equaliser, but luck was not on their side.
As the first period wore on, the hosts couldn’t capitalise on their clear-cut chances as Yanga remained solid at the back.
YANGA Leading USM ALGER AT THE BREAK
After an entertaining first half, the contest went into the interval with the Tanzanian side leading USMA by a 1-0 scoreline.
In the second stanza, USMA started the half highly motivated, aiming to pull one back. But Yanga stood their ground.
Yanga continued to put in a resilient defensive performance to rebuff the efforts of the hosts’ attackers, while hoping to add to the scoreline to win the game.
Yanga regained momentum to gain dominance of the showpiece which saw them creating a couple of scoring chances.
On the other hand, USMA began to struggle to threaten the visitors’ side goalkeeper.
ENDED IN TEARS FOR YANGA DESPITE WINNING THE MATCH
However, the game Confederation Cup second leg final ended in tears for the Tanzanian top-flight champions despiting winning the match with a 1-0 scoreline.
Alger’s game plan worked in their favour as they went all the way to hold on to their lead.
At the end of the day, USMA walked away victorious with the away goal rule.
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