MC Alger’s hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage suffered a major blow after they conceded twice in the final six minutes to lose 2-0 to Enugu Rangers in Nigeria.
The defeat came in the first leg of the second preliminary round at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday. MC Alger had been presented with a significant opportunity when Enugu Rangers forward Lucky Jimoh was sent off in the 13th minute.
However, the Algerian side were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority. The match was eventually reduced to 10 against 10, before Enugu Rangers struck twice in the closing stages.
The home side opened the scoring with a penalty in the 84th minute and added a second goal three minutes later to secure a valuable advantage before the return fixture.
MC Alger must now overturn the two-goal deficit when the teams meet again in Algiers on 23 October. The result places coach Khaled Ben Yahia under considerable pressure, with supporters already calling for his departure.
Raja Casablanca denied victory late on
There was also disappointment for a North African club in Nigeria as Raja Casablanca were held to a 2-2 draw by El Kanemi Warriors in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup play-off.
The match was played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, where the hosts made a fast start by taking the lead in the sixth minute.
Raja Casablanca responded through Mohammad Abu Zrayq, who levelled in the 24th minute. The Moroccan club then completed the turnaround shortly after the hour mark, with Mathias Oyewusi Kehinde putting them ahead in the 60th minute.
El Kanemi Warriors refused to settle for defeat and found an equaliser in the 82nd minute, leaving Raja Casablanca with a draw rather than an away victory.
Despite conceding late, the result gives Raja Casablanca a potentially important advantage ahead of the second leg. Under the away-goals rule, the two goals scored in Nigeria could prove decisive if the return match in Casablanca ends in another draw.
Raja Casablanca will host El Kanemi Warriors on 23 October, with a place in the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup at stake.
