USM Alger Wins CAF Super Cup with 3-1 Victory Over Mamelodi Sundowns

USM Alger secured their second CAF Super Cup title on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over hosts Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria. The Algerian side, holders of the CAF Confederation Cup, claimed the win through goals from Zakaria Draoui, Saadi Radouani, and Ahmed Khaldi. This triumph marks another major achievement for USM Alger, following their CAF Confederation Cup penalty shootout win over Zamalek.

The match was interrupted by torrential rain, causing a 30-minute delay in the second half as ground staff worked to clear excess water from the pitch. Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Miguel Cardoso was forced to make an early substitution due to injuries before kickoff, altering his lineup. Despite this, Iqraam Rayners managed to pull one back for Sundowns from the penalty spot, but the hosts were unable to turn the match around.

The win earned USM Alger a $500,000 payday and reinforced a growing trend in the competition, as Confederation Cup champions continue to hold their own against Africa's Champions League winners. Recently, Confederation Cup winners have dominated the fixture, taking four of the last five crowns. The only Champions League representative to win during that period was Egypt's Pyramids FC.

This victory adds to USM Alger's 2023 title, solidifying their position as a formidable force in African football. For Mamelodi Sundowns, the setback comes after a successful season that saw them lift the 2025/26 CAF Champions League title by beating Morocco's AS FAR in the final. The loss was a significant blow to Sundowns' aspirations for another continental title.

The CAF Super Cup, which debuted in 1993, has a rich history with record-holders Al Ahly leading all clubs with eight trophies. Ivory Coast's Africa Sports claimed the inaugural title, and the competition has since become a premier event in African football. USM Alger's latest win will undoubtedly boost their reputation and confidence in future competitions.

The match conditions were challenging, with rain affecting the gameplay and forcing both teams to adapt. Despite these challenges, USM Alger demonstrated their resilience and skill, securing a well-deserved victory. The team's performance was a testament to their preparation and strategy.

As USM Alger celebrates their second CAF Super Cup title, the team's fans and supporters are likely to be thrilled with the news. The victory is a significant milestone for the club, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this success in future competitions. With their recent win, USM Alger has proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in African football.

Key points

• USM Alger won their second CAF Super Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
• The win reinforced a growing trend of Confederation Cup champions holding their own against Champions League winners in the CAF Super Cup.
• The victory earned USM Alger a $500,000 payday and solidified their position as a formidable force in African football.