CAF Champions League: Rangers Collapse Late as MC Alger Overturn Two-Goal Deficit

Posted : 25 October 2026

Rangers International’s CAF Champions League campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion on Friday as MC Alger scored three second-half goals to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit and secure a 3-2 aggregate victory at the Ali La Pointe Stadium.

The Nigerian champions appeared poised to advance after defending resolutely for much of the return leg. However, a late collapse proved costly as the Algerian side scored the decisive goals to complete a remarkable comeback.

Goalkeeper Abuchi Okeke delivered an outstanding performance, producing several crucial saves, including a penalty stop, but his efforts ultimately could not prevent the Flying Antelopes from exiting the competition.

Rangers entered the encounter with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Abeokuta, where Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty before James Emo added a second goal.

That cushion allowed the visitors to approach the return fixture cautiously, focusing on defensive organisation while looking for opportunities to threaten on the counter-attack.

MC Alger, however, immediately signalled their attacking intentions, with Naidji missing an early opportunity as the hosts continued to probe the Rangers defence.

The Nigerian side responded with disciplined defending, while Igboke also tested goalkeeper Ramdane with a long-range effort after Rangers cleared an Algerian set-piece.

Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Rangers remained organised for much of the opening half, with Abuchi making important interventions to preserve their aggregate advantage.

A defensive misunderstanding briefly exposed the visitors, but Oputa produced a timely block to deny Bangoura. Abuchi subsequently stopped Naidji from close range to keep Rangers in front.

The Rangers goalkeeper was called into action again shortly before the interval, clearing the danger after Ghezala’s long ball threatened to split the defence.

MC Alger returned from the break with greater urgency, pushing Rangers deeper into their own half as the aggregate deficit became an increasingly pressing concern.

Their persistence finally paid off when substitute Boukholda capitalised on a corner delivered by Halaimia, heading home from close range to reduce the deficit and revive the hosts’ hopes.

The goal shifted the momentum decisively in MC Alger’s favour, with the Algerian side continuing to exploit set-pieces and place the Rangers defence under mounting pressure.

Rangers suffered another setback in the 68th minute when Iwundu fouled Khelif inside the penalty area, handing the hosts an opportunity to draw level on aggregate.

Abuchi, however, temporarily rescued his team by saving Bangoura’s spot-kick, producing another vital intervention to preserve Rangers’ advantage in the tie.

The goalkeeper continued to repel the hosts’ attacks, including a header from Kohili, as Rangers struggled to retain possession and relieve the pressure.

Their best opportunity to threaten on the counter-attack came in the 81st minute when Precious Agu advanced into the attacking third. However, his decision to cut the ball back allowed Menezla to recover possession and halt the move.

That missed opportunity proved costly as MC Alger intensified their late assault.

In the 85th minute, Abuchi initially saved Naidji’s header, but Bangoura reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range, levelling the aggregate score at 2-2.

With the contest seemingly heading towards extra time, Rangers were unable to withstand the hosts’ final surge.

Bayazid delivered the decisive blow in the 91st minute, evading Godwin Obaje before connecting with a diving header to complete MC Alger’s comeback and send Rangers crashing out of the competition.

For Rangers, the defeat marked a painful end to a tie in which their first-leg advantage and goalkeeper’s heroics had offered genuine hope of progression.

MC Alger, meanwhile, demonstrated the importance of sustained attacking pressure and clinical finishing, refusing to give up despite trailing by two goals from the opening encounter.

Rangers’ inability to manage the closing stages ultimately proved decisive, as defensive fatigue and the hosts’ relentless pressure combined to undo their earlier advantage.

The elimination leaves the Flying Antelopes reflecting on a missed opportunity, particularly after holding firm for much of the return fixture.

For Nigerian club football, Rangers’ exit compounds the disappointment of a continental campaign in which the country’s representatives have struggled to make significant progress.

Despite Abuchi’s individual brilliance, MC Alger’s late resurgence ensured that the Algerian side, rather than the Nigerian champions, advanced to the next stage of the competition.

CAF Champions League: Rangers Collapse Late as MC Alger Overturn Two-Goal Deficit

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