Enugu Rangers knocked out as Nigeria lose CAF Champions League group-stage place

Enugu Rangers are out of the CAF Champions League after a 3-0 defeat by MC Alger on Friday, with the Algerian side overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Rangers had appeared to be in control of the tie after securing a 2-0 victory in the opening leg. However, MC Alger scored three times after half-time to complete a dramatic turnaround and leave Nigeria without a representative in the competition’s group stage.

Chahreddine Boukholda began the comeback two minutes before the hour mark. Mohamed Bangoura then scored six minutes from the end of normal time, before Soufiane Bayazid added a third goal in stoppage time to settle the tie.

Rangers goalkeeper Destiny Abuchi had briefly preserved his side’s advantage by saving a penalty from Bangoura in the 70th minute.

Rivers United had already been eliminated in the first preliminary round, meaning both Nigerian entrants have now departed the CAF Champions League before the group phase.

Narrow margin after second-leg collapse

The result was particularly damaging because Rangers remained ahead on aggregate for much of the second leg. All three MC Alger goals came after the interval, and Abuchi’s penalty save kept the Nigerian club in front with 20 minutes remaining.

At that point, Rangers held a 2-1 aggregate lead. If Bangoura’s penalty had gone in, the overall score would have been level at 2-2, with the tie still having 20 minutes to play.

Bangoura eventually found the net six minutes from time, bringing the aggregate score to 2-2. By the time Bayazid struck in stoppage time, the advantage Rangers had taken from the first leg had disappeared.

The outcome means the CAF Champions League will continue without a Nigerian club in the group stage. Soccernet had outlined the significance of the second legs when assessing the Rangers and El-Kanemi ties.

Rangers must now turn their focus to domestic competition. Earlier this week, Soccernet examined why the club hold the advantage over Rivers United at the top of the league.

Their next challenge will therefore come in the domestic league rather than in Africa’s leading club competition.