USM Alger claimed their second CAF Super Cup after a 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.
The CAF Confederation Cup holders secured the US$500,000 winners’ prize after Ahmed Khaldi created the opening goal and scored the third himself, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
USM Alger needed only four minutes to take the lead. Khaldi drove into the penalty area from the right before sending the ball across goal, where Zakaria Draoui tapped it in.
Mamelodi Sundowns were forced into two early changes. Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos was replaced by Cassius Mailula after suffering an injury during the warm-up, while Iqraam Rayners came on for the injured striker Brayan Leon in the 15th minute.
The home side levelled in the 25th minute after a Video Assistant Referee review ruled that the ball had struck a hand inside the area. Rayners converted the resulting penalty, sending USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot the wrong way.
Sundowns threatened to take control when Thapelo Morena met a cross from Mailula, but Benbot kept out his effort.
Instead, USM Alger restored their advantage in the 37th minute. A header from a corner struck the crossbar and Saadi Radouani reacted quickest to head in the rebound.
The second half began after a delay caused by the weather, but USM Alger soon extended their lead. In the 55th minute, Khaldi cut inside from the edge of the area before curling a shot beyond Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the far corner.
Williams prevented the Algerian side from adding to their advantage by parrying further attempts from Khaldi and Dramane Kamagate.
Mamelodi Sundowns appeared to have reduced the deficit late on, but a Video Assistant Referee review ruled out the own goal after determining that the ball had gone out of play during the build-up.
The result gives USM Alger their second CAF Super Cup title, following their 2023 success. Their latest trophy also continues a strong recent run for CAF Confederation Cup winners, who have now won four of the past five editions of the competition.
Egypt’s Pyramids FC are the only Champions League holders to have lifted the trophy during that period.
USM Alger qualified for the Super Cup after beating Egypt’s Zamalek on penalties in the CAF Confederation Cup final.
