Referee Issa Sy redeems himself with USM Alger in CAF Confederation Cup after Algeria-Nigeria controversy
Senegalese referee Issa Sy took charge of USM Alger’s CAF Confederation Cup semifinal clash against OC Safi on April 19, 2026, marking his first high-profile assignment since his controversial performance in the Algeria-Nigeria quarterfinal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The match, played at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, ended in a 1-1 draw that saw USM Alger advance to the final on aggregate after winning the first leg 1-0 in Safi two weeks earlier. Sy’s appointment drew immediate attention from Algerian fans who still recall his disputed decisions during the AFCON 2025 encounter where Algeria lost 0-2 to Nigeria.
According to verified match records from the ESPN broadcast of the February 14, 2026 group stage encounter between the same teams, USM Alger and Olympic Safi played to a 0-0 draw in Algiers. That game featured referees Sulaiman Kamara and assistants, establishing a precedent for officiating in their CAF Confederation Cup meetings this season.
The April 19 semifinal represented a significant moment for Sy, who has faced sustained criticism from Algerian supporters since the AFCON 2025 quarterfinal. Local Algerian media outlet Competition.dz reported that Sy “traîne, en effet, une réputation controversée, notamment auprès des supporters algériens” and that “beaucoup gardent encore en mémoire son arbitrage très contesté lors du match Algérie-Nigeria (0-2) en quart de finale de la dernière Coupe d’Afrique des nations.”
Despite the heightened scrutiny, Sy officiated the semifinal without major controversy according to the match report from beIN SPORTS USA’s coverage of the OC Safi vs USM Alger clash. The broadcast confirmed the 1-1 draw result that ultimately saw USM Alger progress to the CAF Confederation Cup final.
USM Alger entered the semifinal with a strong continental record, having finished the group stage with a 4-2-0 record and 14 points, as documented in the ESPN match summary from their February meeting with Safi. Olympic Safi countered with a 4-1-1 group stage record and 13 points.
The Stade du 5 Juillet, a historic venue in Algiers that has hosted numerous CAF competition matches, provided the setting for Sy’s return to high-stakes Algerian football. The stadium’s capacity and atmosphere have traditionally amplified fan reactions to officiating decisions, making the environment particularly charged for the Senegalese referee.
For USM Alger, the semifinal appearance continued their impressive run in the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup. The Algerian side had demonstrated consistency throughout the tournament, combining defensive solidity with opportunistic attacking to navigate the competition’s challenging format.
Olympic Safi, representing Morocco, had also earned their semifinal berth through strong performances, including their 0-0 draw with USM Alger in the group stage. Their progression to the semifinals marked a significant achievement for the Moroccan club in continental competition.
The appointment of Sy for such a high-profile match involving Algerian clubs suggests confidence in his abilities from CAF’s refereeing committee, despite the lingering controversy from the AFCON 2025 match. Referee assignments for CAF competitions typically undergo rigorous evaluation, particularly for knockout stage matches.
As USM Alger advanced to the final, the focus now shifts to their championship matchup. The winner of the other semifinal between unspecified opponents will await the Algerian side in what promises to be a culmination of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
For Issa Sy, the uncontroversial officiating of the USM Alger vs OC Safi semifinal represents an opportunity to move beyond the AFCON 2025 narrative. While the Algeria-Nigeria match remains a significant reference point in his career, his handling of this high-pressure CAF Confederation Cup semifinal demonstrates his continued presence at the upper echelon of African football refereeing.
The CAF Confederation Cup final will feature USM Alger against the winner of the other semifinal, with dates and venue to be confirmed by CAF. Fans and officials alike will be watching to see how the tournament concludes, with officiating remaining a key component of the competition’s integrity.
As the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup reaches its conclusion, the performances of teams like USM Alger and officials like Issa Sy contribute to the ongoing narrative of African club football. The tournament continues to showcase competitive matches while providing platforms for referees to demonstrate their capabilities on the continental stage.
For continued updates on the CAF Confederation Cup final and other African football competitions, fans are encouraged to follow official CAF channels and trusted sports news outlets. Share your thoughts on the tournament’s progression and the role of officiating in shaping outcomes.
