The CAF Confederation Cup final second leg between USM Alger and Young Africans is building much excitement in Algeria as home fans target their maiden continental glory.
The eight-time Algerian Ligue 1 champions host Tanzania’s Yanga at the Stade du 5 Julliet in Algiers on Saturday with a 2-1 lead from last weekend’s first-leg in Dar es Salaam.
The 60,000-capacity Stade du 5 Julliet is already sold out with Algiers flooded with USM Alger’s traditional red and black colours.
The excitement can be to USM Alger’s long absence in a continental final, as their last final game was in the 2015 CAF Champions League when they lost to TP Mazembe.
Banners, flags, club shirts and other memorabilia are sighted over the suburbs of Soustara, Casbah, Bab El Oued and Saint Eugene in Algiers.
Interestingly, the sale of fireworks have also skyrocketed with USM Alger fans ready to celebrate and start a carnival if they lift their hands on the Confederation Cup.
Meanwhile, Young Africans head coach Nasreddine Nabbi believes mentality will be a big difference as his team aim to overturn the first-leg deficit.
The Tunisian manager said in a press conference on Friday: “I believe we still have a chance to turn the tables. We are a big team in Tanzania and representing our country, we have to do our best in the final.
“The mental aspect of the players will make a difference in this match. We have to go in with a strong mentality to fight in a difficult game.
