From the Zamalek comeback to the Loftus Versfeld clash.. USM Alger prepares to face Sundowns eyeing their second continental title
USM Alger are preparing for another major continental challenge after completing a remarkable journey to the 2026 CAF Super Cup where they will face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday 8 November in Pretoria.
The Algerian club secured their place in the prestigious season opening showdown after winning the 2025 /26 CAF Confederation Cup, defeating Egyptian giants Zamalek 8-7 on penalties following a dramatic two legged final.
However, their qualification was the culmination of a campaign filled with difficult comebacks, narrow escapes and decisive moments that demonstrated the team's resilience under pressure.
From overturning an early defeat in the preliminary rounds to progressing through two consecutive knockout ties on away goals, USM Alger repeatedly found ways to survive when their continental ambitions appeared under threat.
Now, under Senegalese coach Lamine N'Diaye, the Red and Blacks are targeting another Super Cup triumph to add to the historic success they achieved against Al Ahly in 2023.
USM Alger overcome early setback to reach the group stage
USM Alger began their 2025 /26 CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the second preliminary round against Ivorian opponents AFAD Djékanou.
The Algerians suffered an unexpected 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Abidjan, immediately placing pressure on their qualification hopes.
However, the response in the return fixture was emphatic.
Playing in front of their home supporters in Algiers, USM Alger produced a commanding 3-0 victory to overturn the deficit and secure a 3-1 aggregate qualification.
Houssam Eddine Ghacha emerged as the main protagonist, scoring twice while Brahim Benzaza added another goal to complete the comeback.
The result provided an early indication of the team's ability to respond to difficult situations, a characteristic that would become a defining feature of their continental campaign.
Four victories and 14 points: USM Alger dominate Group A
USM Alger were subsequently drawn into Group A alongside Morocco's Olympique Safi, Ivory Coast's FC San Pedro and Mali's Djoliba AC.
The Algerian side delivered an impressive group stage campaign, finishing unbeaten with four victories and two draws from six matches.
Their journey began with an entertaining 3-2 home victory over San Pedro, with Ghacha, Adem Alilet and Saadi Radouani finding the net.
They followed that result with an important 1-0 away victory against Olympique Safi, courtesy of a late strike from Zakaria Draoui.
Another convincing performance came against Djoliba whom they defeated 2-0 at home through goals from Draoui and Ahmed Khaldi.
USM Alger then secured a goalless draw in Mali before producing another 3-2 victory away against San Pedro.
Mohamed Bouderbala scored a decisive stoppage time winner in that encounter after Che Malone and Glody Likonza had also contributed to the scoring.
The group campaign concluded with a 0-0 draw against Olympique Safi in Algiers.
Those results allowed USM Alger to finish top of Group A with 14 points, confirming their place in the quarter finals alongside the Moroccan club.
The consistency displayed during this stage provided a strong foundation for the increasingly difficult challenges ahead.
Away goal drama against Maniema Union sends USM Alger into the semi-finals
The quarter finals presented USM Alger with a difficult encounter against Democratic Republic of Congo representatives AS Maniema Union.
The first leg in Kinshasa proved challenging, with the Algerian side suffering a 2-1 defeat.
However, Ahmed Khaldi's successful penalty proved crucial, giving USM Alger an important away goal ahead of the return fixture.
Back in Algiers, the Red and Blacks understood that a narrow victory could be enough to keep their continental ambitions alive.
Brahim Benzaza delivered the decisive contribution, scoring in the first half to secure a 1-0 victory.
With the aggregate score level at 2-2, USM Alger progressed to the semi-finals thanks to the away goals rule.
It was their first major knockout escape of the campaign but certainly not their last.
Olympique Safi eliminated as Ahmed Khaldi strikes again
USM Alger's semi final opponents were familiar faces, Olympique Safi whom they had already encountered twice during the group stage.
The first leg in Algeria ended in a tense goalless draw leaving everything to be decided in Morocco.
The return fixture proved equally competitive, with both teams struggling to establish a decisive advantage.
However, Ahmed Khaldi once again stepped forward at a crucial moment, converting a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for the visitors.
That goal proved decisive.
Having scored away from home, USM Alger advanced to the final through the away goals rule for the second consecutive knockout round.
Their progress demonstrated an ability to remain competitive in difficult away environments while capitalising on the decisive opportunities that emerged.
Zamalek defeated after an unforgettable 8-7 penalty shootout
The final brought USM Alger face to face with Egyptian giants Zamalek, creating one of the most anticipated continental encounters of the season.
The first leg took place in Algiers on 9 May, with both teams producing a closely contested encounter.
For much of the match, neither side managed to establish a decisive advantage.
However, the Algerians were awarded a late penalty which Ahmed Khaldi converted in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory.
The result gave USM Alger a narrow advantage ahead of the return fixture in Cairo.
Zamalek responded immediately in the second leg on 16 May.
Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh converted an early penalty in the fifth minute, restoring parity in the aggregate score.
The Egyptian side subsequently attempted to find another goal but USM Alger remained organised defensively.
Goalkeeper Oussama Benbot played a particularly important role producing a decisive late save to deny Nasser Mansi and keep his team alive.
With the aggregate score level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the final proceeded directly to a penalty shootout.
Both teams successfully converted their first seven attempts, creating an extraordinary sequence of pressure.
The decisive moment arrived when Zamalek's Mohamed Shehata missed the eighth penalty.
Glody Likonza subsequently converted USM Alger's eighth attempt securing an 8-7 shootout victory and sending the continental trophy back to Algeria.
The triumph delivered USM Alger their second CAF Confederation Cup title, following their previous success in 2023.
The victory was built on defensive resilience, Benbot's decisive intervention and exceptional composure during the penalty shootout.
A second CAF Super Cup title within reach
USM Alger's latest Confederation Cup triumph has earned them another opportunity to compete for the CAF Super Cup.
Their previous appearance came in 2023 when they defeated Egyptian champions Al Ahly 1-0 in Saudi Arabia to secure their first title in the competition.
That victory represented one of the most memorable achievements in the club's modern history.
Now, three years later, the Algerian side have another opportunity to repeat that success.
Their opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, qualified after winning the 2025 /26 CAF Champions League, defeating Morocco's AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the final.
The South African champions also possess previous Super Cup experience, having lifted the trophy in 2017 after defeating TP Mazembe.
Interestingly, Sundowns have also enjoyed favourable historical results against USM Alger.
The two clubs previously met during the 2019 /20 CAF Champions League group stage, with the South Africans winning both encounters, 1-0 in Algiers and 2-1 at home.
Those results provide an additional historical dimension to Sunday's encounter.
When and where will USM Alger face Mamelodi Sundowns?
The 2026 CAF Super Cup will take place on Sunday 8 November 8 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Kick off is scheduled for 13:00 GMT.
The encounter will bring together the reigning CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup winners, with both clubs seeking their second Super Cup title.
According to CAF, the winners will receive $500,000 while the runners-up will collect $250,000.
There will also be no extra time if the match finishes level after 90 minutes, meaning the trophy will be decided directly through a penalty shootout.
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