Enugu Rangers have reported MC Alger to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after visiting supporters allegedly forced their way into the MKO-Abiola Stadium and confronted members of the Algerian club following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat in Nigeria.
The incident occurred after the first leg of the African Champions League play-off in Abeokuta, where several hundred MC Alger fans, known as the “Chnaoua”, had travelled to support their team.
According to several Nigerian media reports, some supporters surrounded the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms and confronted MC Alger manager Khaled Ben Yahia. Security personnel intervened to protect and escort the Tunisian coach away from the area.
Some fans reportedly told Ben Yahia not to return to Algiers, while a member of his staff was also allegedly assaulted.
The anger followed a frustrating result for MC Alger, particularly because Enugu Rangers played much of the match with 10 men. Rangers scored twice within three minutes late in the game, leaving MC Alger with a significant deficit to overturn in the second leg if they are to reach the group stage.
Enugu Rangers’ complaint to CAF goes beyond the confrontation involving the coaching staff. The Nigerian club alleges that visiting supporters forced open a stadium door, entered without paying admission and damaged several seats.
Rangers say they have submitted photographs and videos to CAF and are asking the governing body to investigate. They are also seeking reimbursement for lost gate receipts and assurances over security arrangements ahead of the return match in Algiers.
Nigerian media reports say Enugu Rangers have even asked CAF to consider ordering the second leg to be played behind closed doors.
The supporters’ frustration does not justify the alleged behaviour, which could have serious consequences for MC Alger both financially and on the field. The club will need strong home support to overcome the two-goal deficit, but could instead face sanctions linked to the actions of part of its fanbase.
The trouble comes during an already difficult period for the Algerian club. MC Alger have won three consecutive Algerian league titles, but have struggled to reproduce that domestic dominance in African competition.
They reached the quarter-finals in 2025 before being eliminated in the group stage in 2026. They now face the prospect of going out before reaching the main phase of this season’s competition, a disappointing contrast with USM Alger, who won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023.
Supporter dissatisfaction had already grown during the summer transfer window and contributed to the departure of Hakim Hadj Redjem. The former official had previously faced serious tensions with fans over the Youcef Belaili situation in 2024.
Mohamed Arabi Yaakoubi replaced him as president, while Amer Mensoul and Faycal Badji joined the club’s new sporting structure. The changes have not yet restored calm, leaving the second leg to provide both a sporting response and a test of whether the club can prevent its institutional and supporter unrest from escalating further.
