USM Alger stun injury-hit Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Super Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns missed out on another trophy after a 3-1 defeat by USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilians were forced into an early change before kick-off when midfielder Nuno Santos suffered an injury during the warm-up. Coach Miguel Cardoso replaced him with striker Cassius Mailula, while Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena returned to the starting lineup.

USM Alger needed only four minutes to take control. Ahmed Khaldi beat a defender on the right side of the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Zakaria Draoui, who finished from close range.

Sundowns suffered another setback after 15 minutes when star striker Bryan Leon was forced off with what appeared to be a groin injury. Cardoso responded by sending on Iqraam Rayners.

The hosts were handed a route back into the match in the 23rd minute when a handball was penalised following a Video Assistant Referee review. Rayners took responsibility from the spot and calmly converted to make it 1-1.

USM Alger regained the advantage 10 minutes before half-time. Saadi Radouani showed determination to get ahead of his marker and headed the ball into the net after the initial effort had struck the crossbar.

The second half began late because of inclement weather. Once play resumed, the Algerian side extended their lead 10 minutes after the restart when Khaldi was given time to cut inside and curl an excellent finish beyond Williams.

Sundowns responded by introducing Antonio van Wyk in an attempt to add fresh attacking impetus. Tashreeq Matthews and Mokoena both tried their luck from distance, but neither effort seriously threatened the USM Alger goalkeeper.

Williams then kept the home side in contention with two important saves. He used his fingertips to keep out a powerful volley from Khaldi before producing another strong stop to turn Dramane Kamagate’s low shot around the post with 15 minutes remaining.

Sundowns appeared to have scored in the final 10 minutes through an own goal, but the effort was ruled out after another VAR check found that the ball had gone out of play during the build-up.

USM Alger held on to claim the trophy and $500,000 (R8milllion) in prize money.

Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Khoza, Ndamane, Modiba, Matuludi, Allende, Mokoena, Mailula, Morena, Matthews, Leon.

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