USM Alger reached the CAF Confederation Cup final on away goals after a tense 1-1 draw with Olympique Safi in Morocco on Sunday, in a match overshadowed by crowd trouble that delayed kick-off by 80 minutes.

The semi-final tie ended 1-1 on aggregate following last week’s goalless first leg in Algiers, with USM Alger progressing thanks to their crucial away goal.

The game began in chaotic circumstances after supporters from both sides reportedly clashed and threw projectiles, with reports also stating a Moroccan journalist was taken to hospital after being assaulted.

Once play eventually got underway, Ahmed Khaldi gave USM Alger the advantage by converting a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, leaving Olympique Safi needing two unanswered goals to overturn the tie.

Despite pressure from the home side, USM Alger held firm to secure their place in the final, where they will face Zamalek on May 9 and 16. The winner will claim a record $4 million prize, doubling last season’s reward and underlining the competition’s growing significance.

Olympique Safi briefly revived their hopes in the contest after 75 minutes when substitute Moussa Koné scored his sixth goal of the African campaign, powering in a far-post header from a corner.

However, despite the goal and strong backing from the majority of fans inside the 8,000-capacity stadium in the southern coastal city, the hosts rarely looked capable of finding another breakthrough against USM Alger.

The match itself remained chaotic throughout, with a long list of stoppages and interruptions. Ten minutes of added time were played in the first half, followed by an additional 20 minutes in the second period, as tensions on and off the pitch continued to rise.

Players on both sides frequently went down injured and repeatedly challenged decisions made by the Rwandan referee. Bottles were thrown onto the pitch, while fireworks created a haze of smoke that temporarily disrupted visibility.

Despite the disorder, USM Alger held on to secure qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup final. The Algerian side, winners of the competition in 2023, also lifted the CAF Super Cup that year after defeating then African champions Al Ahly.

They will now face Zamalek in the final, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs with 13 continental titles, including two Confederation Cup triumphs.