By Amaechi Agbo

The continental spotlight falls on Loftus Versfeld Stadium this Sunday, 8 November 2026, as South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns trade tackles with Algerian heavyweights USM Alger in a highly anticipated 2026 CAF Super Cup final.

With a grand prize of $500,000 (approximately R8.5 million) on the line for the winner and $250,000 for the runner-up, this high-stakes, single-match showpiece pits the reigning kings of African club football against each other.

Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in this elite fixture by capturing their second CAF Champions League crown. Under the tactical guidance of head coach Miguel Cardoso, “The Brazilians” edged out Moroccan outfit AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in May. Sundowns have enjoyed formidable domestic form leading up to the final, maintaining a 14-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

USM Alger, on the other hand, enter the tie as the CAF Confederation Cup champions. Led by veteran tactician Lamine N’Diaye, the Algiers-based club survived a breathless 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Egyptian giants Zamalek following a 1-1 aggregate stalemate. They arrive in Pretoria carrying a solid five-match undefeated streak.

The “USMA” won the 2023 edition beating Egyptian giants Al Ahly to cause one of the CAF Super Cup biggest surprises then, and they would like to have another one when they face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns this Sunday.

USM Alger earned their place in this year’s edition through an extraordinary run in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup. They started their campaign from the 2nd Preliminary Round beating Ivoirian side AF Amadou Dialo 3-1 on aggregate to reach the group stage, where they finished on top of Group A that had with them Morocco’s Olympic Safi, Mali’s Djoliba and Cote d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro.

USMA made perfect use of the away-goals rule, beating DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union (2-2 on aggregate) in the quarterfinals, then Olympic Safi once again (1-1 on aggregate) in the semifinals to book their spot in the final with Egyptian titans Zamalek.

The drama packed final saw USM Alger winning the first leg 1-0 in Algiers with a last gasp winner. Zamalek neutralized the aggregate score early in the return leg at Cairo International Stadium but couldn’t find a winner to set the game to be decided by a tense penalty shootout. Displaying nerves of steel in front of a packed stadium, USM Alger triumphed 8-7 on penalties to win their second CAF Confederation Cup crown and book their ticket to the 2026 CAF Super Cup.

History in CAF Super Cup

Sunday’s encounter presents both teams with a chance to capture their second-ever CAF Super Cup title. Sundowns claimed their maiden crown in 2017 with a victory over TP Mazembe, while USM Alger lifted the trophy in 2023 after famously shocking Al Ahly.. Their previous appearance dates to 2023 following their maiden CAF Confederation Cup triumph, when they shocked then CAF Champions League winners and historic champions Al Ahly beating them 1-0 in the match that was held in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

USMA started their 2026–27 domestic campaign with a promising momentum. After seven matchdays, they lie fourth in the Algerian “Ligue 1” with 14 points, just three short from leaders CR Belouizdad. Their last game before heading to Pretoria saw them beating CS Constantine 2-0 on October 31, 2026, courtesy of a brace from Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui.

Continentally, USMA will defend their CAF Confederation Cup title from the group stage. After being granted a bye in the 1st Preliminary Round, they didn’t play in the 2nd Preliminary as their opponents The Panthers from Equatorial Guinea withdrew.

Veteran Senegalese manager Lamine N’Diaye took charge of USMA in February 2026. The Senegalese tactician guided DR Congo’s TP Mazembe to the CAF Champions League title in 2010, two CAF Super Cup titles (2010, 2011) and to the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup final.

N’Diaye’s guided USMA to a historic double last season, winning both the Algerian Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup. He signed a new two-year contract extension last June to remain at the helm of the Algiers based club. N’Diaye remains highly respectful of the opposition, publicly citing Mamelodi Sundowns as “the best club in Africa” while emphasizing that his squad will travel to Pretoria determined to cause a strategic surprise.

He was lately nominated for the 2024 CAF Men’s Coach of the Year award.

Benbot established himself as a reliable, commanding presence in the penalty area. He joined USM Alger in August 2021 after a successful stint with JS Kabylie, and quickly became a critical asset for the club, anchoring their defense during historic continental and domestic campaigns. He guided USMA to their both CAF Confederation Cup titles (2022–23 and 2025–26), the 2023 CAF Super Cup, and back-to-back Algerian Cup triumphs in 2025 and 2026, where he proudly captained his side in the latter. Benbot earned a spot in Algeria’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he made his first competitive start for Les Fennecs in a group stage fixture against Austria.

He was nominated for the “Best Goalkeeper in Africa” in CAF Awards 2026.

No Extra Time

Fans can expect instant drama if the sides cannot be separated by full-time. In accordance with CAF’s updated cup regulations, extra time will not be played. If the scores remain tied after 90 regulation minutes, the match will proceed directly to a penalty shootout.

Team News

Coach Miguel Cardoso’s squad is managing a handful of significant injury setbacks. Full-back Khuliso Mudau is a long-term absentee with an Achilles rupture, while Grant Kekana and Keegan Johannes remain unavailable. However, the host side has been buoyed by the return of talismanic midfielder Teboho Mokoena and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to full training, though backup shot-stopper Ricardo Goss is expected to guard the net. Up front, all eyes will be on Bafana Bafana international Iqraam Rayners, who has scored five goals in his last five domestic matches.

USM Alger boast a largely clean bill of health, though forward Houssam Ghacha is a major doubt due to a persistent injury. Dhirar Bensaadallah has returned to fitness, and youth international Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui—who sits atop the Algerian Ligue 1 scoring charts with five goals in five appearances—is expected to lead the line.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida to orchestrate the match. He will be assisted by Djibril Camara (Senegal) and Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon). Mauritanian official Babacar Sarr will head the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) crew.