Rangers warned to stay focused as MC Alger seek Champions League comeback

Rangers have been urged to remain mentally prepared for a difficult second-leg test against MC Alger as they seek to complete a CAF Champions League victory over the Algerian side. The Nigerian champions take a 2-0 lead into Friday's second preliminary round meeting at the Stade Ali-Ammar in Douera, Algeria.

Ayo Abdulrahman, Chief Operating Officer of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), said Rangers would need to maintain their concentration, determination and tactical discipline throughout the match. The first-leg result was secured despite Rangers being reduced to 10 players, and Abdulrahman praised the team's resilience in holding on to claim a two-goal advantage.

"Rangers players showed determination to win even when they were one player down, and winning by two goals was a befitting reward for the hardworking players and managers of the team," Abdulrahman was quoted as saying by NPFLMedia. He warned, however, that MC Alger would provide a much tougher challenge on home territory and urged Rangers to approach the contest with the right mentality.

"It's not going to be a tea party; don't expect them to offer you flowers. Stay focused, take the fight to them, and respond to the dictates of the game, especially when you have to defend," he said.

Rangers' players and officials are expected to leave Nigeria for Algeria on Tuesday (today), allowing the squad to prepare for Friday's decisive fixture. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.

The team that wins the tie on aggregate will qualify for the lucrative group stage of the CAF Champions League. Rangers will therefore progress with any overall victory or draw, while MC Alger must overturn the two-goal deficit to remain in the competition.