Pretoria – In a remarkable night at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, USM Alger wrote another golden chapter in their continental record, defeating hosts Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 to claim the CAF Super Cup for the second time in their history and the third for Algerian football in this competition.
The triumph was no ordinary title. It came to confirm a slogan the "Soustara" players raised high after the final whistle, through special shirts bearing one unmistakable message: "Born to Make History." The shirts carried the names of every squad member, a gesture through which the team sought to immortalize an achievement secured on the opponent's soil, in front of their fans, and against the reigning African Champions League holders.
A Clash of Champions.. A Lesson in Efficiency
USM Alger entered the match as Confederation Cup winners, while Sundowns came in as Champions League winners, but home advantage did not favor the hosts. As early as the fourth minute, Zakaria Draoui was quick to capitalize on a pass from Ahmed Khaldi, opening the scoring and giving "Soustara's sons" an early lead that disrupted the hosts' plans.
Sundowns equalized through a penalty converted by Iqraam Rayners in the 25th minute after a VAR review, but USMA's response was swift and harsh. In the 37th minute, after a corner rebounded off the post, captain Saadi Radouani was in the right place to head the ball into the net, restoring his team's lead.
In the second half, which started more than half an hour late due to heavy rain that swept across Pretoria, Ahmed Khaldi did not wait long to crush the hosts' hopes. In the 55th minute, he unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that settled in the far corner, scoring the third goal that gave USMA a huge confidence boost.
"We Are Men of Finals"
After the match, international goalkeeper Oussama Benbot did not hide his pride in what his team achieved against the continent's giants. He said in remarks reported by the media: "Al Ahly of Egypt, Zamalek of Egypt, Sundowns and Young Africans — we beat these teams in decisive matches and were crowned against them in a number of achievements, and we did not face them in the group stage." Words that sum up a team that seems to find its favorite food in the biggest occasions.
Captain Saadi Radouani, scorer of the second goal, was even clearer in his message: "We never resorted to others' talk; we play on the green rectangle and answer on the pitch. We are men of finals, winning in all competitions and across different African regions." Remarks reflecting the personality of a team that does not tremble in decisive matches but grows more dangerous when responsibility increases.
A Historic Feat and a Continental Double
With this triumph, USM Alger became the first Algerian club to win the CAF Super Cup twice, after the 2023 edition in which they beat Egypt's Al Ahly 1-0. The team also ended an exceptional continental season, combining the Confederation Cup title (against Egypt's Zamalek on penalties) with the Super Cup, reaffirming its place among Algeria's most prominent clubs in continental competitions in recent years.
On the financial side, USMA received a prize of $500,000, while Sundowns received $250,000. But the true value of this title far exceeds money; it relates to the club's reputation and its ability to compete at the highest levels away from home.
Celebrations in Pretoria.. and Joy in Algeria
The celebrations that followed the match reflected the value of the achievement. USMA players raised the trophy high in the South African sky, amid immense joy after snatching the title from a strong opponent on their own ground. In Algiers, fans took to the streets of Bab El Oued, Bab El Djdid and the Casbah, turning neighborhoods into spaces of celebration in USMA's colors, in scenes reflecting the large place the club holds in its supporters' hearts.
The triumph even transcended sport, as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune congratulated the team via his official account, saying: "Congratulations to Algeria and to USM Alger on winning the African Super Cup for the second time. Congratulations to Soustara — to the players, the technical staff and the 'Lesma' fans everywhere."