Zamalek Eyes Record $4 Million CAF Cup Bonus

Egyptian club Zamalek, facing financial hardship, stands to receive a record $4 million bonus from the CAF Confederation Cup if they defeat Algeria's USM Alger in the two-legged final.

USM hosts the first leg on Saturday in front of 50,000 spectators, with the return leg scheduled for May 16 in Cairo, pitting former champions of the tournament against each other. Zamalek won the cup in 2019 and 2024, while USM triumphed in 2023.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced a 100% increase in prize money for the winner and runner-up to $4 million and $2 million respectively. This decision provides a timely boost for Zamalek, the second most successful club in CAF competitions with 13 titles, but one reportedly struggling with debts of up to $6.5 million.

Egyptian media report that the team, known as the White Knights, owes money to clubs in Africa and Europe for player transfers. Ukraine's Oleksandriya says it sold Brazilian striker Juan Bezerra to Zamalek, but some installments of the transfer fee are overdue. Former coaches, including Switzerland's Christian Gross and Portugal's Jose Gomes, are also owed money. They and several players have appealed to FIFA for intervention.

Former Tottenham coach Gross led Zamalek to victory in the 2019 Confederation Cup final against Morocco's Renaissance Berkane. Gomes repeated that feat five years later, also against Berkane.

If Zamalek, narrowly favored, wins a record third Confederation Cup, they will qualify for the CAF Super Cup, which carries a $500,000 prize. The Super Cup is an annual match between the CAF Champions League winner (this season South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns or Morocco's FAR Rabat) and the Confederation Cup champion.

The USM and Zamalek final underscores North African clubs' dominance in Africa's second-tier competition, with 17 wins in 22 finals. Tunisia's CS Sfaxien and Berkane share the record with three titles each. Tunisia's Etoile Sahel, Morocco's Raja Casablanca, and Zamalek are among four clubs with two titles.

This season, six of eight quarterfinalists were from North Africa, as were all four semifinalists. Zamalek returns to Algeria after eliminating another Algerian side, Chabab Belouizdad, in the semifinals. Bezerra scored the only goal in the first leg in Algiers, and the tense return leg ended scoreless.

With an away win and a home draw against African debutants Olympique Safi in the group stage, USM advanced past their Moroccan opponents on away goals in the semifinals after two draws. Ahmed Khaldi converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time for USM in a return leg marred by crowd trouble with a pre-match pitch invasion.

The captains of both finalists are fullbacks, USM's Raadi Sadouani and Zamalek's Omar Gaber. The teams blend local and foreign stars. USM's Dramane Kamagate has scored six goals in the tournament this season, but all were for Ivory Coast's San Pedro before his move to Algeria. Cameroon's Che Malone likely partners Hocine Dehiri in central defense for USM, who advanced past Tanzania's Young Africans on away goals in the 2023 final.

Zamalek has scored 17 goals in the tournament this season. Bezerra and Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri have contributed four goals each, and Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh has three. Whatever the final outcome, both clubs will have another opportunity next season. Egyptian Premier League leaders Zamalek will qualify for the Champions League or Confederation Cup. Algerian Cup winners USM will return to the Confederation Cup.