CAF Champions League: MC Alger Stun Rangers with Dramatic Comeback to Seal Group-Stage Ticket
By Sedara Philip
Rangers International have suffered a heartbreaking exit from the CAF Champions League after losing 3-0 to Algerian giants MC Alger in the second leg of their second preliminary-round encounter.
MC Alger overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg to secure a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory, ending the Nigerian side’s continental campaign and booking their place in the group stage.
Rangers entered the encounter with a two-goal advantage and appeared determined to protect their lead, with goalkeeper Destiny Abuchi producing a series of impressive saves to frustrate the hosts during the first half.
However, MC Alger intensified their attacking pressure after the break and eventually found the breakthrough two minutes before the hour mark through Chahreddine Boukholda, giving the home supporters renewed hope of an unlikely comeback.
Rangers continued to defend their aggregate advantage, and Abuchi appeared to have dealt a significant blow to the hosts’ hopes when he saved Mohamed Bangoura’s penalty in the 70th minute.
The goalkeeper’s intervention temporarily kept Rangers in control of the tie, but MC Alger refused to surrender.
Bangoura made amends for his missed penalty six minutes from time, finding the back of the net to bring the aggregate score level and set up a tense finish.
With the tie seemingly heading towards a decisive conclusion, MC Alger delivered the final blow in stoppage time when Soufiane Bayazid scored the decisive goal to complete their remarkable turnaround.
The late strike sparked celebrations among the home supporters and sealed a 3-0 victory on the night, giving the Algerian side a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
For Rangers, the defeat represents a painful end to their CAF Champions League ambitions after surrendering a two-goal first-leg advantage.
Despite Abuchi’s penalty save and his efforts to keep the Nigerian side in contention, Rangers were unable to withstand MC Alger’s relentless pressure in the closing stages.
The Algerian club will now turn their attention to the group stage, while Rangers must reflect on a disappointing continental exit after a dramatic collapse in the return leg.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
