Algerian Union Eyes Second African Super Cup Title Against South Africa's Sundowns

The African Super Cup 2026 final will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, as Union of Algiers faces Mamelodi Sundouns. The Algerian team, also known as "Les Fennecs," aims to win their second title in the competition, having previously won in 2023. They secured their spot in the final by defeating Egyptian club Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup final on May 16, 2026, with an 8-7 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 aggregate score.

Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African team, will host the match with the support of their home crowd and the momentum of their recent African Champions League title win against Moroccan club Raja CA. The South Africans are seeking to repeat their 2017 African Super Cup victory, where they defeated TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the strongest teams in African football in recent years.

The winner of the African Super Cup will receive a prize of $500,000, while the runner-up will get $250,000, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This represents a 130% increase in prize money compared to 2022, demonstrating CAF's commitment to enhancing the commercial value and global appeal of African football. The teams are eager to claim the title and the accompanying financial reward.

The assistant coach of Union of Algiers, Hadj Adelane, expressed the team's determination to win the title, stating that they will give their all to secure the African Super Cup. Adelane highlighted the team's motivation and readiness for the challenge, having traveled to South Africa and prepared well for the match. However, the team will be without midfielder Houssamedine Gacheta, who is still recovering, and Mohamed Boudarbala, who suffered an ankle injury.

The president of Union of Algiers, Bilal Nouiouah, emphasized the team's ambition to win the title and return the trophy to Algeria. He expressed confidence in the team's morale and technical staff, stating that they are prepared to face the challenge and make their fans proud. Nouiouah also praised the team's supporters for their unwavering support, which he considers a crucial factor in their success.

The two teams have a history of competition, having faced each other in the 2019-2020 CAF Champions League group stage. Sundowns won both matches, with a 1-0 victory in Algiers and a 2-1 win in South Africa. The African Super Cup will be a new chapter in their rivalry, with both teams seeking to make history and claim the coveted title.

The match will be refereed by Mauritanian official Dahane Beida, assisted by Senegalese and Cameroonian officials. The VAR system will be operated by Mauritanian and Cameroonian officials, with Sudanese official Abdulaziz Yaser completing the team. The competition promises to be intense, with both teams determined to emerge victorious and claim the African Super Cup title.

Key points

• Union of Algiers seeks second African Super Cup title against Mamelodi Sundowns.
• The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
• The winner will receive $500,000, while the runner-up will get $250,000.