CAF CC Final Preview: Young Africans host USM Alger in first-leg

In the upcoming first leg of the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup final, two clubs with rich histories, Young Africans from Tanzania and USM Alger from Algeria, have the chance to claim their first continental trophies.

Both clubs have an impressive record of thirty-seven domestic championships combined, but winning the Confederation Cup would be a significant achievement for either team, given their large fan bases and traditions of success. The match will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where Young Africans have remained undefeated throughout their Confederation Cup campaign.

Young Africans’ head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, expressed his desire for a strong start and an impressive attacking performance from his team in the first leg. Tanzania is fully behind the club’s efforts, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan even offering travel accommodations for the return leg in Algeria. The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is expected to be filled to its capacity of 60,000 spectators, as all tickets for the first leg have been sold out.

The only notable absence for Young Africans will be Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho, who is serving a two-match suspension due to accumulated yellow cards. Congolese midfielder Yannick Bangala and Tanzanian national team player Mudathir Yahya will provide solid defensive cover in Aucho’s absence and will need to perform at their best to support Young Africans’ talented attacking players.

Fiston Mayele, another member of the club’s Congolese contingent, is currently one of the top scorers in the Confederation Cup and possesses the speed to trouble the USM Alger defense.

Stephane Aziz Ki is likely to feature in the starting lineup to support Mayele, while Zambian attacker Kennedy Musonda and Mayele’s compatriots Jesus Moloko and Tuisila Kisinda are the primary candidates for wing attacks. Young Africans’ defense remains solid, with regular Tanzania national team players Ibrahim Hamad and team captain Bakari Mwamnyeto as central defenders, supported by experienced Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

USM Alger’s head coach, Abdelhak Benchikha, had a rollercoaster 2022-23 season. He began as the coach of Moroccan club RS Berkane but was dismissed due to poor results before joining USM Alger and boosting their performance.

Benchikha’s experience has been instrumental in leading his team past Moroccan club ASFAR and Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in the knockout stages to reach the final. The 59-year-old coach acknowledged the pressure of the occasion but expressed his honor in potentially bringing the Confederation Cup trophy to Algeria, where he has previously coached all of the country’s top clubs, including CR Belouizdad, ES Sétif, and local rivals MC Alger.

USM Alger has shown resilience in absorbing pressure without conceding, particularly in hostile environments. This is thanks, in part, to the leadership of central defender Zineddine Belaid. Deep-lying midfielder Oussama Chita and right-back Saadi Radouani are other key contributors to the club’s defensive success.

Although the USM Alger attack is talented, they have not reached their full potential in domestic league play. Striker Aymen Mahious and Botswana national team forward Tumisang Orebonye provide physical strength and benefit from a direct style of play, excelling in aerial duels on set pieces and crosses.

USM Alger will also be boosted by the return of skilled playmaker Abderrahmane Meziane, who missed the semifinals against ASEC due to injury. Meziane has scored six goals in all competitions this season and can provide the service needed for Mahious and Orebonye to find the back of the net.