MC ALGER ELIMINATES RANGERS FROM CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Rangers International of Enugu exited the CAF Champions League on Friday after MC Alger beat them 3-0 in Algiers. Rangers had won the first leg 2-0 in Abeokuta, but MC Alger advanced 3-2 on aggregate. The teams finished the first half level at Ali La Pointe Stadium. Chahreddine Boukholda put MC Alger ahead in the 58th minute. The result sent the Algerian side into the group stage.

Kenneth Igboke tested the MC Alger goalkeeper with a long-range shot in the 15th minute. Abuchi Okeke made a save before half-time to preserve Rangers’ aggregate lead. Okeke then saved Mohamed Bangoura’s penalty after MC Alger won a spot-kick in the 68th minute. Bangoura scored late in regular time to level the tie on aggregate. Soufiane Bayazid scored from a set piece in either the second or third minute of stoppage time; accounts differ on the precise minute.

Rangers entered the tie as Nigeria Premier Football League champions. The Enugu club has made five unsuccessful attempts since 2006 to reach the group stage of the modern CAF Champions League. In the predecessor African Cup of Champions Clubs, Rangers reached the final in 1975. They reached the semi-finals in 1976 and 1978. MC Alger won a continental title in 1976 and is seeking a second.