Rangers International of Enugu secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Algeria’s MC Alger in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round encounter on Sunday, despite playing with 10 men for most of the match.
The Nigerian champions overcame an early setback at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State, scoring twice in the closing stages to take a significant advantage into the return fixture.
Rangers goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off in the 13th minute after fouling MC Alger forward Zakaria Naidji, who had been played through on goal by Zinedine Ferhat.
Despite their numerical advantage, the Algerian visitors failed to capitalise on the situation, with Rangers holding firm defensively before producing a late attacking surge.
MC Alger were also reduced to 10 players in the 51st minute when Oussama Benhaoua received a second yellow card and was sent off.
Rangers eventually broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, with Kenneth Igboke converting a penalty before James Emo struck three minutes later to seal the victory for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men.
The result puts Rangers in a strong position ahead of the second leg scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Algeria, where they will seek to protect their two-goal advantage and secure qualification for the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League group stage.
The Flying Antelopes reached this round after edging AS Sobemap of the Benin Republic 5-4 on penalties in Lomé, Togo, following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
MC Alger, meanwhile, advanced after defeating Niger Republic’s ASN Nigelec 5-0 on aggregate. The Algerian side, which won its domestic league title, entered the contest as a formidable opponent.
The winner of the two-legged encounter will advance to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
Elsewhere, Nigerian side El Kanemi Warriors drew 2-2 with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the CAF Confederation Cup. The return leg is scheduled to take place in Rabat next weekend.
