Why Mamelodi Sundowns faced an uphill battle in CAF Super Cup defeat

Mamelodi Sundowns’ lack of freshness was a major factor in their 3-1 CAF Super Cup defeat by USM Alger at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, with difficult conditions made worse by the weather.

USM Alger claimed the trophy and returned to North Africa with a USD500 000 (approximately R8,2 million) prize.

Sundowns had played far more football than their Algerian opponents before the final. Their meeting with USM Alger was their 20th match in all competitions since their opening game on August 8, with nine of those fixtures taking place in midweek.

USMA, by contrast, had played only seven matches during the season. They had been required to play in midweek before a weekend fixture on just one occasion.

The South African side had also covered significant distances during that run, travelling to Angola, Mbombela, Durban three times and Gqeberha.

USM Alger had not left Algeria before flying from Algiers to OR Tambo Airport on a chartered flight on Tuesday last week.

Their route to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage was also less demanding. They did not have to play in the qualifying rounds after receiving a walkover against The Panthers of Equatorial Guinea.

They were then among the teams given a bye in the first round, alongside Kaizer Chiefs, Al Ahly and AS FAR Rabat.

Sundowns’ workload was further increased by the number of players involved with Bafana Bafana during the FIFA dates in September and October.

Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Iqraam Rayners, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas, Thapelo Morena, Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula, Tashreeq Matthews, Fawaaz Basadien, Thabang Matuludi, Ricardo Goss and Khulumani Ndamane all received playing time for the national team.

That international schedule included a long trip to Cairo, where Bafana Bafana faced Eritrea and Egypt.

USM Alger had only two players involved in international football during the same period. Achref Abada and Saadi Radouani both represented Algeria, while Che Malone was part of the Cameroon squad but did not play.

Sundowns were also without some of their key players at full fitness. Williams and Mokoena had spent the preceding weeks managing injuries and returned only on Sunday.

The final brought further setbacks, with Nuno Santos and Brayan Leon suffering injuries. Khuliso Mudau was already unavailable.

Taken together, the volume of matches, travel, international commitments and injuries left Sundowns facing a significant disadvantage in terms of preparation and freshness before the final.