Ahmed Khaldi scored once and created another as USM Alger defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3–1 in Pretoria to claim their second CAF Super Cup, extending the South African champions’ difficult run in continental football.
Algerian giants USM Alger produced a clinical attacking performance to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns 3–1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, 8 November 2026, securing the CAF Super Cup for the second time in their history.
Zakaria Draoui opened the scoring after just four minutes before Iqraam Rayners equalised from the penalty spot for Sundowns.
Saadi Radouani restored the visitors’ advantage in the 37th minute, while Khaldi struck ten minutes into the second half to seal the victory.
The result gave USM Alger another continental trophy following their first Super Cup triumph in 2023.
It also compounded a difficult period for Sundowns, who entered the contest as reigning CAF Champions League winners but had already suffered elimination from the 2026/27 competition.
USM Alger Strike After Four Minutes
USM Alger immediately demonstrated their attacking intentions.
Khaldi advanced down the right, entered the penalty area and delivered a low cross across the face of goal.
Draoui arrived to finish from close range, giving the Algerian visitors a fourth-minute lead.
The early goal placed Sundowns under pressure before they could establish their preferred rhythm.
The hosts had already encountered difficulties before kickoff.
Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos suffered an injury during the warm-up, disrupting the team’s preparations.
Further problems followed when Colombian forward Brayan León was forced off during the opening stages.
Rayners replaced him and quickly became central to Sundowns’ response.
Rayners Equalises, but Radouani Restores the Lead
Sundowns were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for handball.
Rayners stepped forward and converted in the 25th minute, bringing the South African side level.
The equaliser offered Sundowns an opportunity to recover from their difficult start.
Thapelo Morena subsequently threatened the USM Alger goal, but goalkeeper Oussama Benbot made an important save.
The Algerian side responded before halftime.
A corner created another dangerous situation inside the Sundowns penalty area.
An initial header struck the crossbar, and Radouani reacted quickest to head the rebound into the net.
The 37th-minute goal restored USM Alger’s advantage.
It also exposed Sundowns’ inability to deal effectively with the second phase of a set-piece situation.
Halftime: Mamelodi Sundowns 1–2 USM Alger.
Rain Delays Restart Before Khaldi Strikes
Heavy rain disrupted proceedings in Pretoria.
The start of the second half was delayed by approximately 30 minutes as ground staff worked to clear standing water from the pitch.
When the match resumed, USM Alger quickly extended their advantage.
In the 55th minute, Khaldi moved into a shooting position near the edge of the penalty area and curled a superb effort beyond Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The goal gave the Algerian side a 3–1 lead.
It also completed an outstanding individual performance from Khaldi, who had created the opening goal.
Sundowns now needed two goals merely to force the contest level.
Despite their efforts, they could not overturn the deficit.
Williams prevented further damage with important saves, while a late Sundowns effort was ruled out following a VAR review.
USM Alger held firm to secure the trophy.
BLACKFIRE Tactical Intelligence: Three Moments That Decided the Final
USM Alger’s victory was shaped by their ability to exploit decisive moments rather than by any single period of sustained dominance.
Three developments proved particularly important.
1. Khaldi’s Early Movement
The fourth-minute opener demonstrated the value of direct attacking play.
Khaldi attacked the right side of Sundowns’ defensive structure before delivering a low ball into a dangerous central area.
Draoui completed the move.
The goal forced Sundowns to chase the match almost immediately.
BLACKFIRE ANALYSIS: USM Alger converted an early attacking opportunity into a scoreboard advantage, changing the demands placed on the home side.
2. Radouani’s Reaction at the Set Piece
Sundowns had recovered through Rayners’ penalty.
However, the hosts failed to protect that recovery.
Radouani’s goal came after an initial effort struck the crossbar.
His reaction to the rebound was decisive.
The sequence highlighted the importance of defending second balls and maintaining concentration after the first attempt on goal.
For Sundowns, it was a costly moment.
For USM Alger, it restored the lead before halftime.
3. Khaldi’s Individual Quality
Khaldi’s second-half goal provided the clearest demonstration of USM Alger’s attacking quality.
Having already created the opener, he added a technically accomplished finish to extend the lead.
The strike transformed a narrow advantage into a two-goal cushion.
It also forced Sundowns to take greater risks in pursuit of a comeback.
BLACKFIRE KEY FINDING: USM Alger combined efficient attacking execution, alertness at set pieces and Khaldi’s individual quality to defeat the Champions League holders.
Sundowns’ Continental Problems Deepen
The defeat represented another setback for Mamelodi Sundowns.
The South African club had won the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, defeating Morocco’s AS FAR in the final.
However, their attempt to defend that title ended prematurely.
Angolan side Wiliete SC eliminated Sundowns during qualifying for the 2026/27 competition.
The Super Cup defeat followed that disappointment.
For a club accustomed to competing deep into African tournaments, the sequence raises questions about consistency and defensive reliability.
Sundowns’ preparations against USM Alger were disrupted by injuries, but those difficulties cannot fully explain the result.
The Algerian side demonstrated greater efficiency in decisive attacking situations.
Sundowns must now address the problems that have undermined their recent continental performances.
Confederation Cup Winners Continue to Challenge Africa’s Elite
The CAF Super Cup brings together the winners of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
Sundowns entered as champions of Africa’s leading club competition.
USM Alger arrived as Confederation Cup holders.
Yet the Algerian side emerged victorious.
Their triumph continued a notable trend.
Confederation Cup winners have now claimed four of the last five CAF Super Cups.
That record illustrates the competitive strength of clubs emerging from Africa’s second-tier continental competition.
The Super Cup is decided over a single match, where preparation, tactical execution and attacking efficiency can outweigh expectations based on competition status.
USM Alger’s performance reinforced that point.
USM Alger Secure $500,000 Prize
The victory also brought a substantial financial reward.
CAF confirmed that the 2026 Super Cup winners were entitled to $500,000, while runners-up Sundowns would receive $250,000.
The combined prize allocation of $750,000 represents an increase of more than 130% compared with the prize money available in 2022.
The figures reflect CAF’s efforts to strengthen the financial value of its continental competitions.
For USM Alger, the reward adds commercial value to an already significant sporting achievement.
The victory therefore delivers both prestige and an additional financial benefit.
Second Super Cup Strengthens USM Alger’s Continental Standing
USM Alger first won the CAF Super Cup in 2023, defeating Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1–0.
Their latest victory makes them the first Algerian club to win the competition twice.
The achievement follows their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup triumph against Egyptian side Zamalek.
Together, those results reinforce USM Alger’s growing reputation in continental football.
Khaldi’s contribution against Sundowns will be remembered as one of the defining individual performances of the latest triumph.
He created the first goal and scored the third.
Radouani’s intervention restored the advantage at a critical moment.
Draoui’s early finish established the foundation for the victory.
It was a collective achievement built around decisive individual contributions.
The Bigger Picture
USM Alger travelled to Pretoria as CAF Confederation Cup champions.
They returned to Algeria as CAF Super Cup winners.
Their 3–1 victory demonstrated the importance of attacking efficiency, set-piece awareness and individual quality in high-pressure continental matches.
For Sundowns, the defeat deepened the disappointment of an unexpectedly difficult period in African competition.
For USM Alger, it marked another significant step in the club’s continental history.
Sundowns entered as Champions League winners. USM Alger left with the Super Cup — and another place in African football history.
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