El Mouradia Palace: President Tebboune chairs a Council of Ministers meeting Copy link

Cairo – African Stadiums
In a breathtaking match that kept Algerian fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment, USM Alger successfully wrote a new golden chapter in African football history. The Red and Black secured the CAF Confederation Cup title following a thrilling penalty shootout victory (8 – 7) against Egypt’s Zamalek SC at the Cairo International Stadium, after the regular time ended in a 1 – 0 victory for Zamalek, tying the aggregate score at 1 – 1.

A Dramatic Scenario and Back to Square One

The “Soustara” boys entered the match with a mental and technical advantage after winning the first leg 1-0 at the 5 Juillet Stadium in Algiers. However, the winds at the Cairo International Stadium did not blow in USMA’s favor during the opening minutes. The hosts surprised the Algiers defense with intense pressure, resulting in an early penalty converted successfully by Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh in the 5th minute (5′).
This early goal brought the dream final back to square one on aggregate (1 – 1), igniting a fierce tactical and physical battle on the pitch. Despite the pressure, heroic defensive resilience from the likes of Radouani and Draoui kept Zamalek at bay for the remainder of the match, leading the game straight into a penalty shootout.

Penalties Smile upon the Red and Black

In a marathon penalty shootout that tested nerves rather than skill, USM Alger players maintained absolute calm, shifting the pressure onto their opponents. The decisive moment came during the eighth penalty kick, missed by Zamalek’s Mohamed Shehata, officially declaring USMA the winners with an (8 – 7) scoreline. Immediately, the Algerian stands in Cairo and the streets of Algiers erupted into joyous celebrations.

Official Match Facts:Goal Scorer (Zamalek): Oday Dabbagh in the 5th minute (Penalty).

‏ Man of the Match: The brilliant goalkeeper, Oussama Benbot, deservedly won the award following his heroic performance throughout the match and his crucial saves during the penalty shootout that guided USMA to the podium

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune Congratulates the Champions

Immediately following the final whistle and USMA’s continental coronation, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, congratulated the team via his official account, stating:

“Congratulations to USM Alger for this great and heroic African coronation, winning the Confederation Cup from the heart of Cairo. You have honored the national colors and brought joy to the Algerian people through your determination and resilience. All the best in your upcoming challenges, and may Algerian sports continue to shine.”

ALGIERS — Algerian diplomacy has moved beyond political coordination toward a phase of operational integration. Recent official visits by the presidents of Egypt, Angola, and Chad reflect a broader strategy aimed at positioning Algeria as a strategic gateway between the Mediterranean and the African interior.

Algerian-Egyptian Coordination: Security and Economic Partnership

Coordination with Cairo has emerged as a key pillar of regional stability. Discussions focused on strengthening consultation regarding the crises in Libya and Sudan while reaffirming opposition to foreign military intervention. The two countries also discussed activating bilateral agreements in construction, energy, and food industries. Both sides seek to expand trade relations by combining Egyptian expertise in urban development with Algerian experience in the hydrocarbons sector.

Angola: From Historical Relations to Technical Cooperation

The visit of Angolan President João Lourenço marked a new phase in bilateral relations centered on technical and economic cooperation. The Angolan delegation visited the “Fouka 2” desalination plant in Tipaza to study Algeria’s model for securing water resources. The delegation also toured the “Sidi Abdellah” smart city and expressed interest in cooperation in digitalization, higher education, and scientific research. Discussions further included potential cooperation between Sonatrach and Sonangol in oil and gas exploration and production.

Chad: Sahel Security and Regional Connectivity

During the visit of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, both sides addressed security and development priorities in the Sahel region. Algeria and Chad agreed to strengthen intelligence and military coordination while expanding training opportunities for Chadian personnel in Algerian military academies. Discussions also focused on the possibility of Chad using Algerian ports and the Trans-Saharan Highway to facilitate imports and exports, linking Central Africa to the Mediterranean.

Tools of Continental Integration

These diplomatic visits were accompanied by practical economic initiatives designed to reinforce African integration. The Algerian Agency for International Cooperation has launched studies for development projects across several African countries, including hospitals, schools, and water infrastructure, supported by a $1 billion fund allocated by the Algerian presidency. Algeria also aims to transform the Trans-Saharan Highway into a major economic corridor integrating free trade zones and fiber-optic networks connecting six African countries and extending to Nigeria. Plans are also underway to expand the presence of the External Bank of Algeria (BEA) in neighboring countries in order to facilitate exports and investment flows.

Algeria is increasingly converting its diplomatic influence into long-term continental leverage. Through coordination with Egypt in the north, Angola in the south, and Chad in the Sahel, Algiers is seeking to promote a more interconnected and strategically autonomous Africa capable of responding collectively to international challenges.

On Monday evening in Algiers, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço conferred upon Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune the prestigious Order of Agostinho Neto. The decoration was presented as a mark of esteem, acknowledging President Tebboune’s genuine gestures of friendship toward the people of Angola and his significant role in advancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

🇩🇿🤝🇦🇴 Presidents Tebboune and Lourenço exchanged top national honors, celebrating friendship and stronger Algeria–Angola ties#anndz pic.twitter.com/MrKMBh0wss

— Algeria Gate -English (@algatedzEng) May 12, 2026

The Angolan President also praised Algeria’s international influence under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

For his part, the President of the Republic, recipient of the “Sadr” medal of the National Order of Merit, decided to award his brother, the President of the Republic of Angola, the “Athir” medal. This was in recognition of his constant commitment to consolidating bilateral relations and preserving the historical ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation, as well as his dedication to the unity of Africa and the defense of just causes at both the regional and international levels.