Algerian club USM Alger claimed the CAF Super Cup on Sunday after securing a surprise 3-1 victory over South African hosts Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria. A standout performance from Ahmed Khaldi capped off the triumph in a weather-disrupted match, ensuring the Algiers side became the first club from Algeria to lift the trophy on two occasions.
USM Alger opened the scoring just four minutes into the contest against the 2025/26 CAF Champions League winners. Khaldi sent a low cross into the box, allowing Zakaria Draoui to push the ball into the net. Mamelodi Sundowns responded in the 25th minute when Iqraam Rayners—who entered the game as an early substitute for injured Colombian forward Brayan Leon—converted a penalty awarded after Achref Abada committed a handball. However, the visitors restored their advantage 11 minutes later when Sundowns failed to clear a corner kick, and USM captain Saadi Redouani reacted quickly to head a rebound off the crossbar into the net.
Torrential rain severely affected conditions, causing a 30-minute delay to the start of the second half while ground staff swept standing water off the pitch. Ten minutes after play resumed, Khaldi sealed the victory in the 55th minute by curling a shot from just inside the penalty area past Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the far corner of the net.
The victory earned USM Alger a $500,000 (€450,000) prize. Having previously defeated Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly in the 2023 edition, USM earned their place in this year's match by defeating another Egyptian side, Zamalek, on penalties in last season's CAF Confederation Cup final. The club is set to begin its Confederation Cup title defense later this month by hosting Malian outfit Real Bamako in a group stage match, following a bye and a subsequent walkover in earlier rounds.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, the result marked their second major African setback in 17 days, coming shortly after a shock elimination by Angolan club Wiliete in a qualifying round for the 2026/27 Champions League group stage. The CAF Super Cup was introduced in 1993, with Ivory Coast's Africa Sports winning the inaugural tournament, while Al Ahly hold the record for the most titles with eight.
