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Sundowns eye R8.7m CAF Super Cup prize

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso.

There is life after the CAF Champions League, it seems, and Mamelodi Sundowns are certainly not about to let one setback derail what has otherwise been an impressive season.

The Brazilians might have suffered a shock exit in the second qualifying round of this season's Champions League at the hands of Angola's Wiliete, putting paid to their hopes of defending the continental crown. But they have an opportunity to remind Africa of their pedigree when they host USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3pm (SAST).

The annual showdown brings together the winners of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. USM Alger claimed the latter after beating Egypt's Zamalek on penalties, while Sundowns overcame Morocco's AS FAR Rabat to lift the Champions League trophy.

There is also plenty of money at stake. Although it is a one-off fixture, the Super Cup carries a handsome first prize of $500,000 (about R8.27m), with the runners-up taking home $250,000.

Not bad for an afternoon's work!


But beyond the financial rewards, Sunday's encounter offers Sundowns another opportunity to underline their growing influence in African football.

Their Champions League disappointment notwithstanding, the Pretoria giants have hardly been sitting around licking their wounds.

Just a month ago, they beat Orlando Pirates to lift the MTN8 trophy, ending the Buccaneers' six-year reign in the competition. They have also booked their place in the Carling Knockout semifinals after edging Golden Arrows 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Domestically, they are setting the pace in the Betway Premiership, sitting at the summit with 26 points from 10 matches, one ahead of defending champions Pirates, who have a game in hand.

Their contribution to the national team has also not gone unnoticed. Today, Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has called up 11 Sundowns players to his 26-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya on November 13.

Then came another feather in the club's cap. On Wednesday, CAF announced that Sundowns are among the nominees in the Club of the Year category for its annual awards ceremony in Lagos on December 7.

Clearly, there is plenty happening at Chloorkop.

Even the head-to-head record offers encouragement ahead of Sunday's match. Sundowns defeated USM Alger twice during the 2019/20 CAF Champions League campaign, winning 1-0 away and 2-1 at home.

Of course, not everything is rosy in the Sundowns camp. There are supporters who remain unconvinced that coach Miguel Cardoso is getting the best out of a squad blessed with considerable talent.

That criticism is perhaps understandable when you consider the expectations that come with wearing the yellow jersey. Sundowns supporters have become accustomed to success, and anything less than silverware can quickly become a talking point.

Yet, these are the same Brazilians who were crowned Fifa African-Asian-Pacific Cup champions on September 19 after stunning highly rated Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld, under the same Cardoso.



That victory earned them a handsome R35m payday.

And they have already demonstrated that they can deliver when the stakes are high.

My feeling is that Sundowns have enough quality, experience and motivation to add another trophy to their collection on Sunday.

I am putting my money on Bafana ba Style to pocket another $500,000 (about R8.27m) against USM Alger.

It would be another welcome addition to the coffers within a month after banking R10m for winning the MTN8.

Not a bad period at all for the Brazilians and their mentor!


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