The Algerian club demonstrated their attacking efficiency and defensive discipline to overcome the South African champions in front of their home supporters, with Ahmed Khaldi playing a decisive role in the triumph.
The result handed USM Alger their second CAF Super Cup trophy, three years after their first success in 2023, and earned the club $500,000 in prize money.
Draoui gives USM Alger an early advantage
USM Alger needed only four minutes to expose Sundowns' defensive weaknesses.
Ahmed Khaldi created the opening goal with a dangerous run down the right flank before delivering a low pass into the penalty area. Zakaria Draoui arrived at the right moment to convert from close range and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Sundowns' preparations had already been disrupted by an injury to Nuno Santos during the warm-up, forcing head coach Miguel Cardoso to introduce Cassius Mailula into his starting line-up.
The Brazilians suffered another setback when striker Brayan León was forced off with an apparent groin problem after 15 minutes.
His replacement, Iqraam Rayners, quickly became influential. Sundowns earned a penalty following a VAR review for handball, and Rayners made no mistake from the spot in the 25th minute to restore parity.
The hosts had an opportunity to take the lead, but Thapelo Morena could not beat goalkeeper Oussama Benbot with his effort.
USM Alger made Sundowns pay for that missed chance in the 37th minute. Following a corner, the initial header struck the crossbar before Saadi Radouani reacted quickest to head the rebound into the net.
The visitors carried a 2-1 advantage into the dressing room.
Khaldi produces the decisive moment
Sundowns returned from the interval hoping to overturn the deficit, but their comeback ambitions suffered another blow in the 55th minute.
Khaldi collected possession around the edge of the penalty area, shifted the ball into a shooting position and sent a beautifully curled effort into the far corner, leaving Ronwen Williams unable to prevent the third goal.
The strike gave USM Alger a commanding 3-1 lead and underlined Khaldi's importance to the Algerian side's attacking performance.
Sundowns enjoyed spells of possession as they searched for a response, with Teboho Mokoena and Tashreeq Matthews attempting to create opportunities.
However, the visitors remained organised and dangerous on the counterattack.
Williams prevented the scoreline from becoming worse with important saves, including a fingertip intervention against Khaldi and another stop to deny Dramane Kamagaté.
Sundowns briefly thought they had reduced the deficit during the closing stages after the ball entered the net from an own goal. However, a VAR review disallowed the effort because the ball had crossed the touchline earlier in the move.
USM Alger subsequently managed the closing minutes to secure the trophy.
Second continental Super Cup for USM Alger
The triumph adds another significant achievement to USM Alger's recent continental success.
The Algerian outfit previously won the CAF Super Cup in 2023, defeating Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1-0. Their qualification for the 2026 edition came after winning the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup against Zamalek, with the final decided by a penalty shootout.
Their latest victory also continues a notable trend in the competition, with CAF reporting that Confederation Cup winners have claimed four of the last five Super Cup titles.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, the defeat represents a disappointing end to their attempt to add another continental honour to their collection. The South African club entered the contest as reigning CAF Champions League winners but could not take advantage of home support.
USM Alger, meanwhile, return to Algeria with another prestigious African trophy after an impressive display in Pretoria.
CAF Super Cup 2026 match details
• Mamelodi Sundowns: Iqraam Rayners 25' (pen)
• USM Alger: Zakaria Draoui 4', Saadi Radouani 37', Ahmed Khaldi 55'
Final score: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-3 USM Alger
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Champions: USM Alger (second CAF Super Cup title)
Prize money: $500,000