Algerian side USM Alger secured a 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns to be crowned CAF Super Cup champions at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Zakaria Draoui in the fourth minute, Saâdi Redouani in the 37th minute, and Ahmed Khaldi in the 55th minute proved decisive for the visitors. Iqraam Rayners pulled one back for the Chloorkop side from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but it was not enough to spark a full comeback.
Here are five key talking points from the encounter in the South African capital city.
1. TEBOHO MOKOENA AND RONWEN WILLIAMS RETURN FROM INJURY
Masandawana were boosted by the return of key figures Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams to the starting line-up.
Mokoena had missed four consecutive matches due to a knee ligament injury—a recurrence of an issue sustained while on international duty with Bafana Bafana.
Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper and captain Williams was sidelined for three straight games as a precaution following a minor knock in training.
2. LATE CHANGE IN MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STARTING LINE-UP
Sundowns were forced into a late reshuffle just before kick-off when Cassius Mailula replaced Nuno Santos in the starting XI.
Santos was initially named to start against USM Alger, but an injury sustained during the pre-match warm-up ruled him out of the continental showpiece.
3. EARLY INJURY BLOW FOR BRYAN LEÓN
Sundowns suffered another tactical setback just 17 minutes into the match when Colombian forward Bryan León was forced off with a suspected groin injury.
Bafana Bafana international Iqraam Rayners came on as his replacement and made an immediate impact by converting Sundowns’ penalty eight minutes later, though the early substitution disrupted coach Miguel Cardoso’s overall tactical structure.
4. WEATHER INTERRUPTION AT LOFTUS VERSFELD
Inclement weather conditions at Loftus Versfeld Stadium caused a temporary delay to the match proceedings.
Match officials suspended play before the second half could get underway as heavy rain lashed the pitch. However, once the downpour subsided, play resumed without further disruption.
5. SUNDOWNS MISS OUT ON REPLICATING CLASS OF 2016
The defeat means Bafana Ba Style missed the opportunity to replicate the historic feats of the Class of 2016 by holding both the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup titles simultaneously.
For USM Alger, this marks their second CAF Super Cup title, adding to their 2023 triumph where they defeated Egyptian giants Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia.
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