Sundowns seek home advantage as USM Alger target another CAF Super Cup upset

Mamelodi Sundowns will face USM Alger in the 2026 CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, with the African champions looking to recover from a shock early exit in the CAF Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns won last season’s Champions League against AS FAR Rabat, prevailing 1-0 at home before a 1-1 draw away. USM Alger lifted the CAF Confederation Cup for a second time after beating Zamalek on penalties, despite losing the second leg in Egypt 1-0 following a 1-0 first-leg victory and winning the shootout 8-7.

The South African champions are unbeaten since the end of August and currently lead their domestic championship. However, their recent continental campaign ended in the second qualifying round when they were eliminated by Angola’s Wiliete on the away-goals rule, which remains in use in CAF competitions.

That result was a major setback for one of Africa’s most consistent clubs, who had reached the Champions League group stage in 12 successive seasons. Mamelodi Sundowns have responded with three straight domestic victories, beating Marumo Gallants and Golden Arrows 1-0 in the Carling Knockout Cup before defeating Durban City 4-1 in the league.

History is also on their side. In 34 editions of the CAF Super Cup, the Champions League winners have prevailed 26 times, or almost 76% of the time. Mamelodi Sundowns won the 2017 edition in that role, beating TP Mazembe 1-0.

The hosts have also been particularly strong at home against North African opposition. They defeated AS FAR Rabat 1-0 in the first leg of last season’s Champions League final, overcame Esperance Tunis 1-0 in the semi-finals and beat MC Alger 2-0 in the decisive final group game in 2025/2026.

USM Alger, meanwhile, have yet to play a CAF inter-club fixture this season. They were given a bye in the opening round of the Confederation Cup and then reached the group stage without playing after Equatorial Guinea’s Panthers withdrew in the second round.

The Algerian side sit fourth in Ligue 1 after seven matches, with four wins, two draws and one defeat. Following a 2-2 derby draw with CR Belouizdad, Lamine Ndiaye’s team beat CS Constantine 2-0 in their latest match.

USM Alger arrived in South Africa four days early to adapt to the austral summer. Their recent away record south of the Sahara is mixed: they won in Cote d’Ivoire against AFAD Djekanou and San Pedro, drew with Djoliba in Mali and lost to Maniema Union in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their prospects are encouraged by their 2023 Super Cup success against Al Ahly, when they became one of only six Confederation Cup winners to defeat the Champions League holders.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent form is VVVNNV, while USM Alger’s is VNVDVV.

Twelve Sundowns players were selected by South Africa manager Pitso Mosimane for the Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Kenya. They include goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, one of the 10 nominees for the 2026 African Ballon d’Or, and forwards Siyanda Ndlovu and Iqraam Rayners.

Williams and Mokoena remain doubts for the Super Cup, while right-back Khuliso Mudau is injured. USM Alger can call on goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, recalled by Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani alongside team-mate Achref Abada. Ahmed Khaldi, nominated for the African Interclub Player of the Year award, is also available.

Long-term absentees Houssam Ghacha and Mohamed Bouderbala will miss out. Raouf Benguit and forward Mohamed-Amine Ramdaoui, USM Alger’s leading scorer this season with five goals, travelled despite being doubts.

The match will be played in the afternoon in temperatures of at least 25C. Home advantage may prove decisive, but uncertainty over Sundowns’ key players and their Champions League disappointment make a cautious prediction appropriate: a goalless draw, followed by penalties without extra time.