Mamelodi Sundowns have a strong record against Algerian opposition, which will be a boost for their chances in their must-win African Champions League group game on Saturday against Mouloudia Alger.
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Their record in the Champions League against Algerian clubs is six wins in eight past encounters, with one draw and one loss.
This is the 11th successive season that Sundowns have qualified for the Champions League group phase, and in only one of the previous 10 have they failed to advance past the group stage.
But if they fail to win at Loftus Versfeld in their final Group C encounter, they will be eliminated.
A lot on the line in Group C 🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 13, 2026
Here are the permutations for Al-Hilal, MC Alger, Sundowns and Lupopo ahead of the final round of matches 👇#SSFootball | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/wUv2I4pSOC
It was in 2016, the year that Sundowns went on to win the Champions League, that they met Algerian opposition for the first time, overcoming Entente Setif away in their first group game. The match was called off with minutes remaining as angry home fans rioted with Sundowns 2-0 ahead, which was declared the final score. Setif were then disqualified from the group, while Pitso Mosimane’s team went on to become African champions.
In the 2019-20 season, Sundowns were paired in the same group with USM Alger, who are Mouloudia’s great domestic rivals. Sundowns won 1-0 away and 2-1 at home and topped the group but were then beaten in the last eight by eventual winners Al Ahly of Egypt.
In the next season, Sundowns had Chabab Belouizdad in their group and won 5-1 away, although the Algerians moved the game to neutral Tanzania because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The return match at Loftus was won 2-0 by Belouizdad, but Sundowns were already through, and it was a disappointing performance devoid of effort because there was no consequence.
Every match will feel like a final in Group C. 🔥#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/25iTbiun9Z
— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) February 12, 2026
Three years ago, Sundowns faced Belouizdad in the quarterfinals and won 4-1 away and 2-1 at home for a convincing 6-2 aggregate victory but then failed to reach the final when Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca edged them on the away goals rule in the semifinal.
Sundowns’ first encounter this season against the club coached by Rulani Mokwena ended goalless in November in Algiers.