USM Alger lead Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at half-time in CAF Super Cup

USM Alger lead Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at half-time in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium after a lively opening 45 minutes on Sunday afternoon.

The Algerian side took an early lead through Zakaria Daroui, before Iqraam Rayners equalised from the penalty spot for the hosts. Saadi Radouani restored USM Alger’s advantage 10 minutes before the interval.

Mamelodi Sundowns began the match hoping to win a third trophy of the season. The fixture brings together the winners of last season’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, with the South African side hosting their Algerian opponents.

The visitors struck after only four minutes. Daroui advanced into the Sundowns half, put the home defence under pressure and, with the hosts facing their own goal, calmly finished past Ronwen Williams.

Sundowns’ problems increased during the opening quarter of the match when Brayan Leon was forced off after taking a knock. Rayners replaced him, becoming the second Sundowns player to suffer an injury on the day after Nuno Santos was hurt during the warm-up.

The home side were given a route back into the contest after a Video Assistant Referee review awarded them a penalty. Aubrey Modiba’s cross had struck a hand, and Rayners converted the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Sundowns then came close to completing the turnaround shortly after the half-hour mark. Cassius Mailula delivered the ball into the area, where Thapelo Morena met it with a first-time header. However, USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot made the save.

That miss was punished 10 minutes before half-time. Following a corner, the ball came back off the woodwork and Radouani reacted quickest, heading the rebound into the net to put USM Alger back in front.

Confirmed line-ups

Mamelodi Sundowns: Ronwen Williams, Matuludi, Khoza, Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Allende, Mokoena, Cassius Mailula, Thapelo Morena, Matthews, Brayan Leon.

Substitutes: Goss, Mvala, Basadien, Aubaas, Zwane, Ndlovu, Iqraam Rayners, Van Wyk.

USM Alger: Oussama Benbot, Azzi, Draoui, Saadi Radouani, Mahrouz, Abada, Loucif, Ramaoui, Khaldi, Likonza, Boulaya.