By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Gallo Images.
Algeria’s USM Alger secured their second CAF Super Cup title after defeating African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.
Goals from Zakaria Draoui, Saadi Radouani and Ahmed Khaldi secured the trophy for the reigning CAF Confederation Cup winners, denying Sundowns the opportunity to add another continental honour to their collection.
Iqraam Rayners scored from the penalty spot for Sundowns, but the hosts were unable to recover from a difficult afternoon during which injuries disrupted their preparations and forced coach Miguel Cardoso into two early changes.
The hosts thought they had found a way back into the contest during the closing stages when the ball ended up in the net following an own goal.
However, VAR ruled out the effort after determining that the ball had crossed the touchline earlier in the attacking move.
That decision effectively ended Sundowns’ hopes of mounting a late comeback, allowing USM Alger to see out the remaining minutes and celebrate a memorable continental triumph.
The victory earned USM Alger USD 500,000 in prize money and continued an impressive recent record for Confederation Cup winners in the annual contest between the holders of Africa’s two major club competitions.
Four of the last five CAF Super Cup titles have now been won by CAF Confederation Cup champions, with Egypt’s Pyramids FC the only CAF Champions League winners to lift the trophy during that period.