Mamelodi Sundowns will host USM Alger in the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup on 8 November 2026 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with the South African giants targeting a second continental Super Cup title to add to their 2017 triumph over TP Mazembe.

How Sundowns reached this point

Sundowns entered the 2025–26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League as early as the 2nd Preliminary Round, announcing their intentions by dismantling Nigerian club Remo Stars 7-1 on aggregate. From there, they navigated Group C — which also featured Al Hilal, MC Alger, and Saint-Eloi Lupopo — with a crucial final-matchday brace from Brayan Leon against MC Alger securing their passage.

The quarterfinals brought a 3-0 home win over Mali's Stade Malien, though Sundowns were pressed hard in Bamako, trailing 2-0 at the interval before holding on for a 3-2 aggregate victory. The semi-finals were more composed: back-to-back 1-0 wins, first away at Esperance de Tunis in Tunis and then at home in Pretoria, sealed a place in the final.

The final itself was a tense, low-scoring affair against Moroccan club AS FAR. Aubrey Modiba's solitary goal gave Sundowns a 1-0 first-leg advantage at Loftus Versfeld, and Teboho Mokoena's first-half injury-time strike in the return leg sealed a 1-1 draw — enough to crown Sundowns as CAF Champions League winners for the second time and earn their spot in this Super Cup.

A perfect Super Cup record

This is only Sundowns' second appearance in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup, but they carry an unblemished record into Sunday's match. Their sole previous outing, in 2017, ended in a 1-0 win over TP Mazembe. Playing in front of their own supporters at Loftus Versfeld, they will be determined to keep that record intact.

Strong domestic form

Sundowns arrive at the Super Cup in excellent shape domestically. They claimed the MTN8 title last month and lead the South African Premiership after 10 matches with 26 points — one clear of Orlando Pirates, who have a game in hand. The one blemish on their season was a 2nd Preliminary Round exit from this season's CAF Champions League, eliminated on away goals by Angola's Wiliete SC.

Miguel Cardoso — the man in the dugout

Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso has been at the helm since December 2024, and he has already overseen Premiership, CAF Champions League, and MTN8 victories, as well as a FIFA African Asian-Pacific Cup triumph. His managerial career includes stints at Rio Ave, Nantes, Celta Vigo, AEK Athens, and Esperance de Tunis — where he guided the Tunisian club to the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final. At Sundowns, Cardoso has preserved the club's possession-based identity while sharpening their defensive transitions. He was recently nominated for the 2026 CAF Men's Coach of the Year award.

Teboho Mokoena — the player to watch

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena has been the standout figure for Sundowns since arriving at the club in 2022. His combination of relentless work rate, tactical awareness, and long-range shooting ability has made him one of the most recognisable midfielders on the continent — both in club football and with South Africa's Bafana Bafana. This week, Mokoena was shortlisted for both the 2026 CAF Player of the Year and the Interclub Player of the Year awards, underlining just how influential he has become.