I equated it mostly because I was commenting about its effects - if Club Mate has a similar effect than regular Mate "tea", it's a better alternative to coffee, and at least one comment here makes it seem so (cessor: "With mate the caffeine rush is much better"):

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7725211

I'll have to taste Club Mate and see what it tastes like (I might like it more than regular Mate! I find it too bitter)