What should have been a decisive night of football in the CAF Confederation Cup instead turned into a disturbing spectacle of violence, fear, and disruption in Safi.
The second leg between Olympique Safi and USM Alger on Sunday, April 19, 2026, was thrown into chaos even before kickoff, as serious crowd disturbances erupted inside the stadium.
What began as tension among supporters quickly escalated into violence, with reports of objects, including chairs and bottles, being thrown across sections of the stands after rival fans clashed and pitch invasions followed.
The unrest created panic inside the stadium, forcing security personnel to rush in and attempt to restore order.
The situation became so volatile that kickoff was delayed by more than an hour as officials struggled to regain control of the environment.
Among those caught in the chaos were members of the media. Journalist Mohsen was reportedly attacked during the disturbances and had to be taken to the hospital after sustaining injuries.
Several other journalists and fans were also said to have been caught up in the violence, as the situation spiralled beyond control.
Despite attempts to calm the scene, tensions remained high as the match eventually got underway under heavy security presence and a visibly strained atmosphere.
The football that followed carried an edge of intensity shaped by everything that had unfolded outside the lines.
When play finally resumed, USM Alger managed to hold their nerve. After a tightly contested 1-1 draw on the night, the Algerian side advanced to the final on away goals, following a goalless first leg in Algiers.
Ahmed Khaldi’s first-half penalty proved decisive in the overall tie.
USM Alger will now face Egypt’s Zamalek SC in the final.
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