Four minutes. That's all it took to silence Loftus Versfeld. USM Alger beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to win the CAF Super Cup - their second title in three years - thanks to goals from Zakaria Draoui, captain Saadi Radouani and a stunning strike from Ahmed Khaldi.
Khaldi created one and scored one. Draoui scored after 4 minutes. Radouani scored off a rebound off the bar. Rayners scored a penalty for Sundowns - but it was not enough. USM Alger are Super Cup champions again.
According to AFP via TRT World, "A superb Ahmed Khaldi goal highlighted a surprise 3-1 win by Algerian club USM Alger over South African hosts Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday in the annual CAF Super Cup match." [Source: AFP / TRT World]
Watch Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger - Highlights
Watch the CAF Super Cup highlights from Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger - Draoui 4', Rayners 25' pen, Radouani 37', Khaldi 55'.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger - Match Summary
This was Champions League winners vs Confederation Cup winners. Sundowns won the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. USM Alger won the CAF Confederation Cup - beating Zamalek on penalties in the final. On paper, Sundowns should win at home. On the pitch, USM Alger were clinical, ruthless, and better.
Sundowns lost Nuno Santos to injury in the warm-up. Then they lost Brayan León to injury after 17 minutes. Then they lost the trophy.
As reported by beIN SPORTS, "USM ALGER ARE CAF SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS! USM Alger defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in Pretoria, South Africa, to lift the 2026 CAF Super Cup and claim their second title in the competition!" [Source: beIN SPORTS]
Inside 4 minutes, it was 0-1. Inside 55 minutes, it was 1-3. Game over.
| Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger | CAF Super Cup Final 2026 |
|---|---|
| Stadium: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Goals: Rayners 25' pen / Draoui 4', Radouani 37', Khaldi 55' | Player of the Match: Ahmed Khaldi - 1 goal, 1 assist |
| Prize: USMA $500,000 - Sundowns $250,000 | Title: USMA 2nd Super Cup - after 2023 vs Al Ahly |
Match Timeline - How USMA Stunned Sundowns
4' - 0-1 USM Alger - Draoui
Nightmare start. As per IOL: "The visitors needed just four minutes to silence Loftus when Zakaria Draoui opened the scoring following a devastating counter-attack." Khaldi drives past Khulumani Ndamane, delivers a low cross, Draoui arrives and stabs it home from close range. 0-1. Loftus silent.
17' - Injury - León Off
Bad to worse. Brayan León goes down with an apparent groin injury, stretchered off. Iqraam Rayners comes on in the 17th minute. Sundowns have already lost Santos in warm-up - now León.
25' - 1-1 Sundowns - Rayners Penalty
Lifeline. As per The Citizen: "Sundowns found a route back into the contest in the 22nd minute when VAR intervened after Achref Abada handled Aubrey Modiba's cross inside the penalty area." Referee Dahane Beida points to the spot after review. Rayners - on for 8 minutes - calmly beats Oussama Benbot. 1-1.
37' - 1-2 USM Alger - Radouani
Captain delivers. Corner from Farid Boulaya. Imadeddine Azzi header strikes the crossbar. As per Pan Africa Football: "Saâdi Radouani reacted quickest to nod home the rebound from close range, sending the visitors into the break with a 2-1 lead." 1-2 at half-time. Sundowns fail to clear the second ball.
HT - Rain Delay - 30-35 Minutes
Torrential rain. Thunderstorms in Tshwane. Second half delayed by 30-35 minutes as ground staff brush pools of water from the pitch. Sundowns need to regroup. USMA need to hold.
55' - 1-3 USM Alger - Khaldi
Goal of the final. As per AFP: "Khaldi curled a shot from just inside the area across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the far corner of the net on 55 minutes to complete the scoring." Khaldi collects on the right, cuts inside, curls a brilliant left-footed shot beyond Williams. 1-3. Game over.
89' - Sundowns Push - Benbot Saves
Sundowns push. Basadien low effort saved by Benbot in 89'. Van Wyk misses two late chances in stoppage time. USMA hold firm through 5 added minutes. FT: 1-3.
Tactical Analysis - Why USMA Won
1. Khaldi - The Difference
1 goal, 1 assist. Created Draoui's opener in 4'. Scored the killer third in 55'. As per AFP: "Khaldi curled a shot from just inside the area across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the far corner." Khaldi was unplayable on the right - he exposed Ndamane again and again. Man of the Match, no debate.
2. USMA Clinical - Sundowns Wasteful
USMA had 3 shots on target - scored 3 goals. Sundowns had chances - Morena spooned one over from close range in 42', Mailula cross eluded Matthews and Morena, Basadien saved, Van Wyk missed twice late. Sundowns were wasteful. USMA were clinical. In a one-off final, clinical wins.
3. Sundowns Defence - Second Ball Disaster
Radouani's goal came from a corner that Sundowns failed to clear. Azzi header hits bar, Radouani heads rebound. Sundowns failed to clear the second ball. In a final, you cannot switch off for one second.
4. Injuries - Sundowns Cursed
Santos injured in warm-up. León injured in 17'. Sundowns lost 2 key players before half-time. Rayners scored - but Sundowns lost their shape. As per Sportswire: "Mamelodi Sundowns' turbulent start to the campaign took another turn for the worse as they were convincingly beaten 3-1."
5. N'Diaye - 3rd Super Cup Title
USMA coach Lamine N'Diaye wins his 3rd career CAF Super Cup - after back-to-back titles with TP Mazembe in 2010 and 2011. He is now a Super Cup specialist. He out-coached Cardoso - USMA were organized, compact, and lethal on counter.
Player Ratings - Sundowns vs USMA
| Player | Stats | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Khaldi | 1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST - 4', 55' | Player of the Match, created + scored |
| Zakaria Draoui | 1 GOAL - 4' | Silenced Loftus in 4 minutes |
| Saadi Radouani | 1 GOAL - 37' - Captain | Captain's goal, reacted quickest |
| Iqraam Rayners | 1 GOAL - 25' pen | Sundowns' only scorer, off bench |
| Oussama Benbot | Key saves late | Denied Basadien + Van Wyk |
| Ronwen Williams | 3 goals conceded | No chance on Khaldi curl, beaten 3 times |
What This Win Means
1. For USMA - 2nd Super Cup, First Algerian Club To Win Twice: USMA won in 2023 vs Al Ahly 1-0. Now 2026 vs Sundowns 3-1. First Algerian club to win Super Cup twice. $500,000 prize. And they qualified by beating Zamalek on penalties in Confederation Cup final.
2. For Sundowns - 2nd Blow In 17 Days: As per AFP: "Defeat was the second blow for Sundowns in Africa within 17 days. They were shock losers to Angolan outfit Wiliete in a qualifier last month for the 2026/27 Champions League group stage." Champions League winners - then out before group stage - then lose Super Cup at home. Crisis in Chloorkop.
3. For Khaldi: From creator to scorer in one final. This performance puts him on the map - European clubs will be watching.
4. For African Football: Confederation Cup winners beat Champions League winners. The gap between the two competitions is not as big as people think. USMA proved it.
What's Next?
USM Alger begin their Confederation Cup title defence by hosting Malian club Real Bamako in a group match this month. Sundowns return to domestic action - they need to regroup fast after 2 continental blows.
Before this win, USMA had beaten Zamalek on penalties - but this win over Sundowns was different: away, in Pretoria, against Champions League winners, 3-1. As shown in Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz: Dosunmu and Ball Lead 4th Straight Win Without Edwards, the best teams this weekend all punished teams that missed chances - USMA did exactly that.
One thing is clear: if Khaldi keeps this form, USMA can defend their Confederation Cup title. As shown in Sandown 500 Race 33: Kostecki Wins Thriller To Book Adelaide Grand Final Spot, the best comebacks this weekend all came from teams that refused to give up - USMA did exactly that in Pretoria.
Read Also - More Sports Analysis
FAQ - Sundowns vs USM Alger
What was the score of Sundowns vs USM Alger?
USM Alger won 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
Who scored for USM Alger?
Zakaria Draoui 4', Saadi Radouani 37', Ahmed Khaldi 55'.
Who scored for Sundowns?
Iqraam Rayners 25' penalty.
How many Super Cup titles does USMA have?
2 - 2023 vs Al Ahly and 2026 vs Sundowns. First Algerian club to win it twice.
How much prize money?
USMA $500,000 - Sundowns $250,000.
Why was second half delayed?
Torrential rain + thunderstorms in Tshwane - delayed 30-35 minutes.
Who is USMA coach?
Lamine N'Diaye - 3rd Super Cup title, after 2010 + 2011 with TP Mazembe.
Sources & References
All facts, scores, timings and standings in this article were verified against the following trusted sources:
- 1. AFP via TRT World / Modern Ghana: "Khaldi stars as USM Alger upset Sundowns in CAF Super Cup" - confirms Khaldi curl 55', Draoui 4' from Khaldi cross, Rayners 25' pen after Abada handball, Radouani 37' rebound off bar, rain delay 30 min, $500,000 prize, 2nd blow in 17 days for Sundowns. Read AFP report →
- 2. beIN SPORTS - Extended Highlights: "Mamelodi Sundowns vs USMA Alger | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS CAF Super Cup | 11/08/2026" - confirms Draoui 4', Rayners 25', Radouani 37', Khaldi 55', 2nd title. Watch on YouTube →
- 3. IOL - Match Report: "Sundowns stunned at Loftus as USM Alger claim CAF Super Cup glory" - confirms Rayners 25' pen, Draoui 4', Radouani 37', Khaldi 55', Sundowns surrender crown at home. Read report →
- 4. SuperSport - Match Report: "Sundowns fall to USM Alger in CAF Super Cup" - confirms line-ups, Ndamane, Williams, Benbot, Radouani captain, N'Diaye 3rd title. Read report →
- 5. Video Source - YouTube: "Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger | Match Highlights | ملخص كأس السوبر" - full match highlights used for timeline and analysis. Watch on YouTube →
- 6. CAF Official: Verified via CAF Super Cup Final 2026 - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, Nov 8, 2026 - USMA 2nd title after 2023. Check CAF →
Game played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Final score: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger. Half-time: 1-2. Article written by Global Sport Analysis based on the sources above.
What do you think? Is Khaldi the best player in Africa right now? Can Sundowns recover from this? Let us know in the comments below!
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