Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso and USM Alger boss Lamine N'Diaye will go head-to-head this Sunday not only for the CAF Super Cup, but also for a top individual honour. The two coaches have both been shortlisted for the 2026 CAF Men's Coach of the Year award, turning their clash at Loftus Versfeld into a contest on and off the pitch.

The Super Cup final takes place on Sunday, 8 November, at 15:00 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Sundowns earned their place as winners of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, while USM Alger qualified by lifting the CAF Confederation Cup. Both clubs have previously won the Super Cup, and the winner will take home $500 000, with the runners-up receiving $250 000.

Cardoso guided the Brazilians to the Champions League title earlier this year, defeating Morocco's AS FAR in the final. The Portuguese coach has also added domestic silverware, including the MTN8, during his time at Chloorkop. His nomination recognises Sundowns' continued status among Africa's strongest clubs under his leadership.

On the other side, Senegalese coach N'Diaye has enjoyed a rapid rise since joining USM Alger in February 2026. He led the Algerian side to the domestic cup and then the Confederation Cup, where they beat Zamalek on penalties. The victory added to his CV after he previously won the Champions League with TP Mazembe in 2010. N'Diaye has said his side will try to cause a surprise against what he called the best team on the continent, noting that football is never an exact science.

The two men are among ten nominees for Coach of the Year, a list that also includes high-profile names such as Walid Regragui, Pape Thiaw and Sébastien Desabre. The awards ceremony is set for 7 December in Lagos, Nigeria. A strong result on Sunday could strengthen either coach's case, as voters weigh recent continental success.

For Sundowns, the match offers a chance to bounce back after an early exit from this season's Champions League. For USM Alger, it is an opportunity to add another continental trophy and show they belong among Africa's elite. With both coaches already in the running for individual recognition, Sunday's final carries extra meaning beyond the trophy itself. Fans in Pretoria and across the continent will watch closely to see which coach walks away with the upper hand.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2118080434890272857?a=ffqN8R_-HgzNyZacxLM&s=19