Enugu Rangers exit CAF Champions League after 3‑0 loss to MC Alger

Rangers eliminated after dramatic comeback Enugu Rangers International were eliminated from the CAF Champions League after a 3‑0 defeat to Algeria’s MC Alger in the second leg of the second preliminary round. The match, played at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers on Friday night, saw MC Alger overturn a two‑goal deficit and win 3‑2 on aggregate.

The second‑leg encounter began with a goalless first half. MC Alger’s Chahreddine Boukholda opened the scoring in the 58th minute, giving the hosts a 1‑0 lead. Six minutes before the end of normal time, Guinean striker Mohamed Bangoura netted a second goal, levelising the tie at 2‑2 on aggregate. In stoppage time, Soufiane Bayazid struck a third goal three minutes into added time, sealing a 3‑0 win on the night and a 3‑2 aggregate victory.

Rangers’ goalkeeper Destiny Abuchi (also referred to as Abuchi Okeke in some reports) made several important saves, including a penalty save from Bangoura in the 70th minute, but could not prevent the late goals that decided the tie.

Background The CAF Champions League preliminary rounds pit clubs from across Africa against one another for a place in the group stage. Rangers International, the champions of Nigeria’s top flight, had secured a 2‑0 victory over MC Alger in the first leg at Abeokuta the previous weekend, giving them a two‑goal advantage heading into the return leg.

MC Alger, a club that last won the continental title in 1976, has been seeking a second CAF Champions League trophy. Rangers, meanwhile, had never before reached the group stage of the competition, making the tie a historic opportunity for the Nigerian side.

Why it matters The result means that no Nigerian club will participate in the CAF Champions League group stage this season, a first for the country. Rangers’ exit also leaves the club with a record of never having reached the group phase in its history. The loss has financial implications for the club, as group‑stage participation typically brings significant prize money and increased exposure.

MC Alger’s progression to the group stage will allow the Algerian side to continue its continental campaign and pursue a second title, 50 years after its first win.

What happens next MC Alger will advance to the CAF Champions League group stage and will face other qualified clubs in the forthcoming group matches. Rangers International have been eliminated from the competition and will not play any further CAF Champions League fixtures this season.

The match was widely reported by the Daily Post, Daily Trust and Channels Television, all of which confirmed the scoreline and the sequence of goals that led to Rangers’ elimination.