CAF Champions League: Rangers lose 2-0 lead to three MC Alger goals

Rangers International are out of the CAF Champions League after MC Alger won the second leg 3-0 on Friday 23 October, turning a 2-0 first-leg deficit into a 3-2 aggregate win.

The NPFL champions had taken a two-goal lead into the return leg in Algeria. It was 0-0 at half-time, with Rangers defending deep for most of the first half, and the goals arrived after the break.

How the tie slipped away

Chahreddine Boukholda broke the deadlock before the hour. Rangers goalkeeper Abuchi Okeke then saved a Mohamed Bangoura penalty around the 70th minute, keeping it 1-0.

Bangoura made up for it with a close-range finish, and Soufiane Bayazid added a third in stoppage time, so two of the three goals came in the final 10 minutes. MC Alger secured a third consecutive group-stage place.

Analysis: What the exit leaves Rangers

A two-goal lead away from home is rarely lost by one bad moment. Rangers sat deep, and the penalty save kept them in the tie until the late goals, so the question for their coaching staff is how to protect a lead for 90 minutes, not 60.

With Africa over for this season, the league is the focus. Rangers have 17 points and two matches in hand, level with leaders Rivers United, who have 17 points from 10 games. The two meet on Sunday 1 November at 16:00 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, and our Matchday 11 table breakdown shows how tight the top is.

A win would put Rangers clear with games still in hand. Our NPFL results roundup has the table context from the last round.