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South Africa , November 08, 2026 - On Sunday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld, African club football stages its own version of Europe’s biggest one-night finals.
Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the CAF Champions League, will face USM Alger, champions of the CAF Confederation Cup, in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup. Kick-off is at 15:00 local time (16:00 East African Time).
This is not a routine fixture. It is the annual meeting of the continent’s two leading clubs — the same structure that produces the UEFA Super Cup in Europe. One match. One trophy. No second leg. No margin for error.
Sundowns arrive as African champions after defeating AS FAR of Morocco in the Champions League final. USM Alger earned their place the hard way, beating Zamalek of Egypt on penalties in the Confederation Cup final after a 1-1 aggregate. Both sides have lifted the Super Cup before: Sundowns in 2017, USM Alger in 2023. Sunday’s winner will join a short list of clubs to claim the title twice.
The prize money reflects the growing commercial status of the competition. The winners take home $500,000. The runners-up receive $250,000. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the match goes straight to penalties. There is no extra time.
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Sundowns will lean on home advantage and their deep squad, though key players including Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams are doubts. USM Alger travel with the confidence of a side that has already beaten one of Egypt’s giants this season and will look to frustrate the hosts before striking on the counter.
The two clubs have history. When they last met in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage, Sundowns won both matches. That record will not decide Sunday’s outcome, but it adds an edge to the contest.
For fans across the continent, including in Kenya, this is the clearest annual measuring stick of club supremacy in Africa. It is the moment when the Champions League winners and the Confederation Cup winners stand on the same pitch and settle the question of who currently sits at the top of African club football.
The stage is set at Loftus Versfeld. One match will decide it.