Khaldi stars as USM Alger upset Sundowns in CAF Super Cup

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.

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 in a rain-interrupted match.

USM had taken the lead in Pretoria after only four minutes against the 2025/26 CAF Champions League winners when a low Khaldi cross was pushed into the net by Zakaria Draoui.

Iqraam Rayners, an early substitute for injured Colombian Brayan Leon, levelled on 25 minutes by converting a penalty awarded when Achref Abada handled.

The Algiers club regained the lead 11 minutes later when Sundowns failed to clear a corner and captain Saadi Redouani headed a rebound off the bar into the net.

Torrential rain delayed the start of the second half by 30 minutes as ground staff brushed pools of water from the pitch.

USM pocketed $500,000 (€450,000) after becoming the first Algerian club to win the Super Cup twice. They beat Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2023.

They qualified to face Sundowns by beating another Egyptian club, Zamalek, on penalties in the final of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup last season.

After receiving a bye, then a walkover, USM begin their Confederation Cup title defence by hosting Malian club Real Bamako in a group match this month.

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.

The CAF Super Cup was launched in 1993 and Africa Sports from Ivory Coast won the first edition. Al Ahly have lifted the trophy a record eight times.