MC Alger's Bangoura Positive Despite CAF Champions League Exit

MC Alger's early CAF Champions League exit doesn't dampen

MC Alger's Alhassane Bangoura stays positive despite team's CAF Champions League group stage exit, focuses on domestic title defense.

“I am not going to make promises, but I can assure you that we will take each match as it comes...” 

MC Alger's Alhassane Bangoura is choosing to look on the bright side despite the team's heartbreaking exit from the CAF Champions League. The Algerian champions were hoping to finally break their 50-year drought for an African title, last lifting the trophy back in 197.

Bangoura's positivity is admirable, given the team's disappointment. 

They were knocked out in the group stage, finishing third behind Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Hilal, and ahead of Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Group C.

The team had looked promising in the early rounds, beating Fassell (Liberia) and Colombe Sportive (Cameroon), but couldn't keep it up in the group stage.

“This wasn’t how we wanted our CAF Champions League campaign to end but football can be tough sometimes,” Bangoura said.

“Like every team, we came in hoping to win the title, but things didn’t go our way, and now we’re out. Losing three of six games cost us dearly and we are disappointed.

“Personally, I want to focus on the positives because this tournament showed us our strengths and the areas we need to improve. We have a good squad, we prepared well, and this experience will make us better.

“Every match taught us something important. We will work harder, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger next season. This setback is only part of the journey, and I’m sure MC Alger will rise again and make our fans proud.”

MC Alger were the first Algerian team to lift the CAF Champions League trophy, beating Guinea's Hafia FC in a tight final. ES Setif was the last Algerian side to win it, beating AS Vita (DR Congo) in 2014.

On whether Algerian fans' expectations played a part in their exit, Bangoura said: “Not at all. Winning the trophy would have been a great source of pride, but I wouldn’t say there was pressure on us.”

“On the domestic front, MC Alger are well on course to defend their title, leading the Algerian top flight with 36 points from 15 matches. Constantine occupy the second spot with 32 points despite playing four more games.

“Even in the lead, Bangoura stressed that the team is taking things one match at a time, focusing on each game as it comes and working hard to stay at the top of the table.”

On the domestic front, MC Alger are flying high, topping the Algerian league table with 36 points from 15 matches. Constantine are hot on their heels in second place with 32 points from 19 games.

Despite their lead, Bangoura's keeping it real, saying the team's focusing on each game as it comes and working hard to stay on top.

 

Final Group C standings for 2025–26. Al Hilal SC and Mamelodi Sundowns move on. ✅#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Flbb425y2h

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) February 14, 2026

“I am not going to make promises, but I can assure you that we will take each match as it comes,” he continued.

“Of course, it would be wonderful to win the league title again, but we know success comes through our performance on the pitch. 

“We must stay focused and avoid mistakes that could derail us. Every game is an opportunity to prove ourselves, and stay determined so that we give ourselves the best chance to lift the trophy once more.”

Record 12-time champions Al Ahly will face Esperance in the quarter-finals, while defending champions Pyramids FC travel to Morocco to meet AS FAR. Other ties include Mamelodi Sundowns versus Stade Malien and RS Berkane vs Al Hilal.

The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled to take place between March 13-14, 2026, with the second legs happening on March 20-21, 2026.