Egypt's Zamalek football club is preparing to face Algeria’s USM Alger in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers. The second leg will take place a week later, on May 16, at Cairo International Stadium. Both matches are set to kick off at 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT).

The African Football Confederation (CAF) has dubbed the final "The path to glory," highlighting a record $4 million prize for the winning team. This season’s final pits two recent winners against each other: USM Alger, who secured the title in 2023, and Zamalek, champions in 2019 and then again in 2024.

USM Alger’s 2023 triumph came after defeating Tanzania’s Young Africans on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw. Meanwhile, Zamalek’s two titles against Morocco’s RS Berkane, one via penalty shootout in 2019 and the other on away goals in 2024, underscore their growing legacy in African club football.

Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida has been appointed to officiate the first leg, while the second leg will be overseen by Gabonese official Pierre Atcho.

Zamalek progressed to the final after edging Algerian side CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals. The decisive goal came from Brazilian forward Juan Alivvian Bezerra during the away fixture. USM Alger booked their final berth through an away-goals victory over Moroccan club Olympic Club Safi, drawing 0-0 at home before securing a 1-1 draw on the road.

Zamalek stands as the only Egyptian club to reach the final of Africa’s two major club competitions this season. Other Egyptian sides including Al Ahly, Pyramids, and Masri were eliminated earlier in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. This marks Zamalek’s third final appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup history, with the team aiming to add another continental title.

Zamalek’s journey to the final began in the second preliminary round with a dominant 6-0 home victory against Somalia’s Dekedaha, followed by a 1-0 win in the return leg. In the group stage, they topped Group D with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and one loss, competing alongside Masri, South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, and Zambia’s ZESCO United.

The group phase saw Zamalek secure key results, including a 1-0 opening win over ZESCO United and a 2-1 away victory against Masri. Despite a 1-0 defeat to ZESCO United, the team concluded the group stage with a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs.

In the quarter-finals, Zamalek faced Congo’s Otoho, drawing 1-1 in the first leg before winning 2-1 at home. The semi-final against CR Belouizdad was a tightly contested North African derby, with Zamalek securing a crucial 1-0 away victory and holding their opponents to a 0-0 draw in Cairo.

USM Alger began the tournament overcoming Ivorian side AFAD Djékanou in the second preliminary round, recovering from a 1-0 first-leg loss with a 3-0 win at home. They remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, finishing first in Group A with 14 points, registering wins over San Pedro, Olympique Safi, and Djoula AC, alongside draws against Djoliba AC and Olympique Safi.

The quarter-finals presented a challenge against Maniema Union of Congo. After a narrow 2-1 defeat away, USM Alger rallied with a 1-0 home win to claim qualification. Their semi-final clash saw them face Olympic Safi again, settling the tie with two draws—a goalless draw at home and a 1-1 draw away—to progress to the final.

USM Alger’s strong showing continues to build on their 2023 successes when they captured both the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Super Cup.

With the final promising a competitive encounter between two of North Africa’s premier clubs, both Zamalek and USM Alger will vie to claim the prestigious continental title, bolstered by CAF’s increasing investment in its club competitions and record prize money.