Enugu Rangers crash out of CAF Champions League
Spread the word Enugu Rangers' hopes of reaching the group stage of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League ended in disappointment on Friday after Algerian champions MC Alger overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to eliminate the Nigerian side with a 3-2 aggregate victory. MC Alger defeated Rangers 3-0 in the return leg in Algiers, scoring three times in the second half to overturn the 2-0 advantage the Flying Antelopes had secured in the first meeting in Abeokuta.
Blueprint reports Chahreddine Boukholda opened the scoring in the 58th minute before Mohamed Saliou Bangoura added a second in the 84th minute. Soufiane Bayazid then struck in stoppage time to complete the comeback and send the Algerian side through to the next stage.
The result brought a painful end to Rangers' continental campaign, with the Nigerian champions unable to protect the advantage they had worked hard to establish on home soil. MC Alger turn the tie around after the break Having lost the first leg 2-0, MC Alger entered Friday's encounter needing a strong performance in front of their supporters to keep their Champions League ambitions alive.
The Algerians approached the return fixture with the urgency expected of a team facing elimination, while Rangers travelled to North Africa hoping to defend their lead and secure a place in the group stage. The first half ended without a goal, leaving the tie finely balanced as both teams returned for the second period.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 58th minute when Boukholda found the net for MC Alger, reducing the aggregate deficit and giving the hosts renewed belief that a comeback was possible. Rangers were now under increasing pressure, as another goal would bring the Algerians level on aggregate and shift the momentum decisively in their favour.
Bangoura delivered the next major blow in the 84th minute, scoring MC Alger's second goal of the night. With the aggregate score level at 2-2, the contest moved towards a tense conclusion, with the next goal set to determine which side would progress.
Bayazid then settled the contest in stoppage time, scoring the goal that completed MC Alger's 3-0 victory on the night and secured a 3-2 aggregate triumph. Rangers unable to protect first-leg advantage The defeat will be particularly painful for Rangers because they had placed themselves in a strong position after an impressive performance in the first leg on October 18.
The Flying Antelopes defeated MC Alger 2-0 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Nigeria, despite playing much of the encounter with 10 men. Goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off in the 13th minute after bringing down an opposing attacker who was through on goal.
Rangers were forced to reorganise early, but they remained competitive and frustrated the Algerian visitors. MC Alger also lost a player to a red card in the second half when Oussama Benhaoua was dismissed for a second bookable offence.