USM Alger went into Sundowns' backyard and left with the CAF Super Cup and a $500,000 prize after a 3-1 win at Loftus Versfeld.
Algeria just planted its flag in South Africa's backyard. USM Alger beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday to lift the CAF Super Cup for the second time and pocket the $500,000 prize.
The Algerian side wasted no time. Zakaria Draoui struck inside four minutes, finishing off a cutback from Ahmed Khaldi, who had burst down the right flank. Sundowns pulled level in the 25th minute from the penalty spot after a VAR review penalised Achref Abada for handball in the box.
The equaliser did not shake USM Alger. Saadi Radouani restored the lead in the 37th minute, pouncing fastest after Imadeddine Azzi's header came back off the crossbar. Khaldi then sealed it in the 55th minute, converting a pass from substitute Aime Tendeng to put the match beyond Sundowns' reach.
This is a second Super Cup for the Algerian club, following their first triumph in 2023. Both times they earned their place in the showpiece as winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, and both times they delivered when it mattered. Beating the hosts in front of a home crowd makes this one even sweeter, and it adds another Super Cup to Algeria's growing continental trophy cabinet.
