Mamelodi Sundowns vs USM Alger: CAF Super Cup final faces potential date change

Africa Today at 16:18

Khaled Hegazy

News Editor

Mamelodi Sundowns formally asked CAF to delay their October Super Cup final in Pretoria against USM Alger due to local stadium scheduling issues.

According to the sports platform winwin, the South African club sent an official letter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to alter the schedule. They requested moving the highly anticipated match away from the initially proposed date of 31 October.

Instead the Sundowns management is lobbying to host the game on either 1 November or 7 November at 3:00 PM local time. The primary reason for this urgent request is a scheduling conflict at Loftus Versfeld which is booked for other events on the original date.

Bringing the trophy back home

This upcoming edition of the Super Cup marks a massive geographical shift for African football. A CAF official confirmed to winwin that the governing body is returning the one off match to the home ground of the Champions League winner.

Over the past few years, the tournament was heavily outsourced to the Middle East. Qatar hosted three consecutive finals, while Saudi Arabia staged the last two editions, including the fierce Egyptian derby between Al Ahly & Zamalek in Riyadh.

Shattering Arab dominance

Sundowns earned their hosting rights by lifting their second ever Champions League title. They secured a gritty 1-1 draw against Morocco's AS FAR in Rabat following a 1-0 home victory.

This achievement completely shattered a 9 year streak of Arab clubs monopolizing the Champions League trophy.

Their opponents, USM Alger, booked their ticket to Pretoria by winning the Confederation Cup, dramatically defeating Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek 8-7 on penalties in Cairo.

Related teams and leagues

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

USM Alger

CAF Super Cup