USM Alger hold a slender advantage in the CAF Confederation Cup final after they beat Zamalek 1-0 in dramatic fashion at the Stade du 5 Juillet in the first leg on Saturday.
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In a controversial finish to the match, the White Knights were denied a stoppage-time winner when VAR called the referee to review an incident at the other end of the pitch and Lamine N'Diaye's side were awarded a penalty which was calmly converted by Ahmed Khaldi.
USMA will now look to keep the Egyptian giants at bay in the second leg next weekend in a bid to the title for the second time in their history.
The hosts struggled in the final third throughout the 90 minutes and only tested El Mahdy Soliman on three occasions, none of which posed the goalkeeper any real problems.
The best chances came the way of Moatemed Gamal's side, with Chico Banza firing a shot across the face of goal just before halftime and the Angolan striker proved wasteful again moments later as he missed the target.
USM Alger bossed possession in the second half, although their efforts were largely unrewarded, while the visitors barely threatened Oussama Benbot's goal.
The contest appeared to be heading for a goalless draw when Juan Alvina popped up at the death to score an apparent winner on the counter. However, VAR intervened and the ref pointed to the spot at the other end for a foul on Rayane Mahrouz.
Mahmoud Bentayg was sent off in the confusion and Khaldi kept a cool head to beat Soliman from 12 yards out to clinch victory.
USM Alger (0) 1 (Khaldi 90+8' PEN)
Zamalek 0
USM Alger: O. Benbot. S. Radouani, C. Malone, H. Dehiri, H. Loucif, I. Merili, B. Benzaza (R. Mahrouz 86'), Z. Draoui, A. Tendeng (G. Likonza 73'), A. Khaldi, D. Kamagate (M. Bouderbala 73').
Zamalek: E. Soliman, M. Shehata, M. Ismail, H. Abdelmaguid, M. Hamdy, M. Bentayg, A. Kaied (J. Alvina 73'), A. Fotouh (A. Rabie 86'), A. El Said, O. Dabbagh (A. Sherif 86'), C. Banza (A. Esho 90+7').