USM Alger secured their second TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup title on Sunday, defeating defending TotalEnergies CAF Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. A commanding display from Ahmed Khaldi — who contributed a goal and an assist — proved the difference as the Algerian side outclassed the South African giants on their home turf.

Khaldi sets the tone in a dominant first half

USM Alger wasted no time, taking the lead as early as the 4th minute. Khaldi drove into the penalty area from the right, shook off a challenge, and rolled a low cross for Zakaria Draoui to tap home from close range. The goal put Sundowns on the back foot immediately.

The hosts were already dealing with disruption before kick-off — Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos had picked up an injury during the warm-up, forcing coach Miguel Cardoso to introduce Cassius Mailula in his place. Thirteen minutes later, Cardoso was forced into a second change when striker Brayan León limped off with a suspected groin injury, bringing Iqraam Rayners on.

Rayners made his mark almost immediately. A VAR review awarded Sundowns a penalty for handball, and the substitute stepped up to send goalkeeper Oussama Benbot the wrong way in the 25th minute, restoring parity. Sundowns then came close to taking the lead when Thapelo Morena met Mailula's delivery, only for Benbot to produce a vital save.

USM Alger punished that squandered chance in the 37th minute. A header from a corner rattled the crossbar, and Saadi Radouani reacted fastest to the rebound, heading home and restoring the Algerian side's advantage heading into half-time.

Khaldi's stunning strike settles the contest

The second half was briefly delayed by bad weather, but USM Alger picked up exactly where they left off. In the 55th minute, Khaldi found space on the edge of the area, cut inside, and curled a superb effort into the far corner past Ronwen Williams. The goal all but ended Sundowns' hopes of a comeback.

Cardoso introduced Antonio van Wyk in search of a reaction, and Teboho Mokoena and Tashreeq Matthews both threatened from distance — but an organised Algerian defensive unit held firm. Benbot was rarely troubled in the closing stages, while Williams was called upon repeatedly to prevent the scoreline growing even larger, producing a fingertip save to deny Khaldi a second and diving to turn away Dramane Kamagaté's low drive.

Sundowns thought they had clawed one back in the final minutes when the ball ended up in the net, only for VAR to disallow the effort after ruling that the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move. That call ended any hope of a Sundowns comeback, and USM Alger saw out the remaining minutes to seal a 3-1 victory and pocket USD 500,000 in prize money.

Continuing Confederation Cup dominance

The result extends a remarkable run for TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup winners in the Super Cup — four of the last five editions have been claimed by the Confederation Cup holders. USM Alger, who lifted the Confederation Cup last season after beating Zamalek on penalties, now hold the Super Cup for the second time following their previous triumph in 2023.

For Sundowns, the loss compounds a difficult period. Despite winning the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League against Morocco's AS FAR, the South African club were eliminated from the 2026/27 CAF Champions League qualifying rounds by Angola's Wiliete SC — meaning they will not defend their continental crown in this season's group stage. Sunday's defeat denies them one final chance to add silverware to a turbulent campaign.