USM Alger booked their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after edging Maniema Union 1-0 on Sunday and progressing on 2-2 aggregate.
In a tense and physical encounter, it was Brahim Benzaza’s decisive first-half strike that ultimately separated the sides, as the Algerian outfit held firm under late pressure to secure qualification.
USM Alger started brightly, creating early chances through Ahmed Khaldi and Houssam Ghacha, testing goalkeeper Brudel Efonge within the opening exchanges. Maniema Union, however, remained compact and looked to threaten on the counter, with Clément Pitroipa and Jeancy Mboma involved in their forward movements.
The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark. After sustained pressure, Brahim Benzaza found space in the box and fired a composed right-footed finish into the top corner, giving USM Alger a crucial 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Maniema Union increase their urgency, knowing a goal would swing the tie in their favour. They created half-chances through Obed Mbala and Onoya Sangana, but the USM Alger defence stood resolute.
USM Alger nearly doubled their lead when Hocine Dehiri struck the crossbar with a header and later saw another effort blocked. Ahmed Khaldi also came close, hitting the post with a powerful long-range strike.
The decisive moment in the closing stages came in the 90th minute when Exaucia Moanda was shown a red card following a VAR review, reducing Maniema Union to ten men and effectively ending their hopes of a comeback.
USM Alger managed the final minutes, seeing out stoppage time to secure a narrow but vital victory.
Maniema Union can take pride in a spirited display but were ultimately undone by Benzaza’s clinical finish.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
