How Enugu Rangers fumbled chance to end 20-year Champions League jinx vs MC Alger

Enugu Rangers blew a two-goal first-leg advantage to crash out of the CAF Champions League after losing 3-0 to MC Alger on Friday night.

The Nigeria Premier Football League champions went into the second leg in Algiers with a 2-0 lead but conceded three second-half goals to lose 3-2 on aggregate.

Rangers were 45 minutes away from ending their long wait for a place in the Champions League group stage, having kept the hosts at bay in the first half. However, three goals after the break ended their hopes of progressing.

Enugu Rangers crumble after promising first half

Rangers struggled to create clear chances in the opening half. Kenneth Igboke tested the MC Alger goalkeeper with a long-range effort in the 15th minute, but his shot was comfortably saved.

At the other end, Abuchi Okeke made a fine save before half-time to keep the score level and protect Rangers’ aggregate lead.

MC Alger finally broke through in the 58th minute, cutting Enugu Rangers’ advantage to 2-1 on aggregate and putting the visitors under pressure.

The Nigerian champions had a chance to hold on when the hosts won a penalty in the 68th minute. Okeke saved Bangoura’s spot-kick to hand Rangers a lifeline.

But the reprieve did not last. Bangoura scored in the 85th minute to make it 2-0 on the night and level the tie at 2-2.

Rangers could not force the game into extra time. Bayazid scored from a set piece in the second minute of stoppage time to complete MC Alger’s comeback and send the Algerian side into the group stage.

The defeat extends Rangers’ wait for their first appearance in the group stage of the modern CAF Champions League.

The Enugu club enjoyed greater success in the old African Cup of Champions Clubs, reaching the final in 1975 and the semi-finals in 1976 and 1978.

However, the Flying Antelopes have made five attempts since 2006 to reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League in its modern format and have failed each time.