USM Alger captured the CAF Super Cup by defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in Pretoria. Solid, efficient, and disciplined, the Algiers squad outplayed the South African club in a fixture packed with plot twists, disrupted by an extended halftime delay caused by severe weather conditions. USM Alger entered this matchup with a relatively recent memory. In 2023, the Algerians, crowned in the CAF Confederation Cup, had already claimed the African Super Cup by bringing down the African champions, Al Ahly (1-0). The Red and Black had then achieved one of the finest feats in their history.
Surrounded by the atmosphere of the South African supporters, Mamelodi Sundowns and USM Alger launched hostilities. Both teams observed each other during the opening minutes, each striving to establish their system. Despite their relatively limited numbers, the USM Alger supporters made their voices heard and offered a spectacular atmosphere prior to kickoff. Their chants echoed through a noticeably010 sparse stadium, featuring only 10,000 spectators present and low mobilization on the part of the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters.
Barely enough time to settle in before USMA struck true. Ahmed Khaldi exploited the right corridor, bypassed his marker with a well-timed step-over, and, reaching the edge of the box, delivered a perfectly weighted cutback pass. Draoui followed the action attentively and needed no second invitation: he finished with a strike into the back of the net! A cold shower in Pretoria, where the Sundowns supporters were silenced. The Red and Black took command of the encounter and now had to manage against a South African side bound to react.
USM Alger could not have dreamed of a better start! Following the opening goal scored by Draoui in the 4th minute, the Usmiste supporters literally erupted with joy in the stands. Chants, cheers, and celebrations immediately swept their section, injecting a dynamic new energy into the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Stung by the opener, the South Africans attempted to react right away. They dominated possession and shifted play from side to side, yet failed to break through. USMA, compact defensively, closed off spaces and allowed nothing through the center. The South Africans struggled to create genuine danger: crosses were cleared, and combination play lacked precision in the final third. For the moment, the Algiers squad managed their lead with composure.
As minutes ticked away, the tactical flow held firm. Sundowns attempted to elevate the tempo with several incursions along the left flank and long-range efforts, but nothing truly troubled the USMA goalkeeper. The Algiers side maintained discipline, displayed solidarity in duels, and stayed watchful against runs into space. The Pretoria crowd began showing impatience, while the Red and Black preserved their valuable advantage without faltering.
In the 25th minute, following a VAR review, Dahane Beida pointed to the penalty spot, penalizing a handball by Achraf Abada. Teboho Mokoena took charge of the ball, built up his run, and with remarkable composure, sent Oussama Benbot the wrong way. The USMA goalkeeper dived one way, the ball glided the other: everything was back to square one! An explosion of joy erupted in the Pretoria stands. In the 36th minute of play, USMA reclaimed control via a set piece, silencing stands that were steadily filling up. Off a well-placed corner kick, an initial header crashed off the post, leaving the ball alive in the danger area. More alert than anyone, Saadi Redouani stayed sharp: he beat the Sundowns defense to the ball and, with an opportunistic header, sent the ball into the back of the net. Lamine N’Diaye’s players executed their game plan to perfection—solid behind and lethal on the slightest counter-attacking opportunities.
Following the interruption caused by bad weather, the ball rolled once more across a pitch made slick by rain.
Dispatched along the right wing, the Algiers winger brushed aside a Sundowns defender with a skillful move, cut inside on his left foot, and unleashed a powerful strike that left the South African goalkeeper helpless. Already the provider on the opening goal, Khaldi this time signed his own name to the scoreline to widen the margin. USMA secured the cushion in Pretoria and landed a major blow, just as Sundowns believed they had reclaimed the initiative early in the second half. The Usmistes sealed the outcome with a superb curling effort from Khaldi that brushed into the side netting past Williams. Tendeng provided the final pass—a winning tactical move by N’Diaye. Apart from the avoidable penalty conceded by Abada, the Usmistes were never truly threatened in this final.
At the final whistle, jubilation was absolute within the Algerian camp. Through tactical mastery and clinical execution, USM Alger claimed another prestigious continental title, conquered on the pitch of one of the continent’s finest clubs.
Heroic, USM Alger achieved a magnificent feat by defeating Mamelodi Sundowns, holders of the CAF Champions League. With this African triumph, the 4th in their history (2 CAF Confederation Cups and 2 CAF Super Cups), USMA becomes the second most decorated Algerian club on the continent behind JS Kabylie with its 7 continental honors.