CAF Champions League: Rangers Beat MC Alger, El Kanemi Hold Raja in CAF Double-Header
Nigeria's continental campaign got off to a dramatic start on Sunday as Enugu Rangers struck late to stun former African champions MC Alger 2-0 in the CAF Champions League, while El Kanemi Warriors showed immense grit to hold Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca to a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Confederation Cup.
Enugu Rangers stun MC Alger 2-0, El Kanemi hold Raja Casablanca in CAF competitions...
Enugu Rangers stunned MC Alger while El Kanemi held Raja Casablanca to a draw as Nigeria's representatives experienced mixed results in continental action.
The Flying Antelopes and the Desert Warriors endured contrasting fortunes in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively.
Enugu Rangers struck twice in the dying minutes to clinch a 2-0 win over MC Alger in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash on Sunday.
Late strikes from Kenneth Igboke and James Emo earned the Flying Antelopes a deserved victory at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
We don't make promises we can't keep, @MCAlgiers 🦅🤫 90 minutes of pure pressure, a clean sheet, and a 2-0 advantage locked in Abeokuta! FT: Rangers Int’l 2-0 MC Alger 🔴⚪️ #UpRangers #NeverSayDie #CAFCL https://t.co/LpJILocckn
— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) October 18, 2026
The reigning Nigerian champions were dealt an early blow when goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was shown a red card by referee Washington Dolo in the 13th minute for a dangerous challenge on Naidji Zakaria.
Even so, they remained composed and stood firm to keep the 1976 African champions at bay as the first half finished without a goal.
Enugu Rangers took control at the start of the second half, and the visitors were also reduced to ten men in the 51st minute when Oussama Benhaoua received his second yellow card.
Just when the game looked destined for a draw, Niger international Igboke stepped up to break the deadlock in the 87th minute, converting from the spot after a Rangers player was brought down in the box.
Three minutes later, Emo sealed it with a brilliant solo goal to double the advantage and put Fidelis Ilechukwu's men firmly in the driving seat for a place in the group stage.
That defeat means MC Alger have now gone 11 straight away games without a win in CAF competitions.
That's a wrap on today's action. Here's how the scores look. 📊 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL https://t.co/4kzmnGyHkv
— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) October 18, 2026
The Algerian giants will be desperate to wipe out the deficit when both sides meet again for the return leg at the Ali La Pointe Stadium on October 23rd.
Rangers will be keen to avoid a repeat of history. In the 1976 African Cup of Champions Clubs, MC Alger came from two goals down to eliminate the Nigerian side before going on to reach the final and lift the trophy.
Elsewhere, El Kanemi Warriors played out a 2-2 draw with Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second-round tie at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday.
The Nigerian FA Cup holders made a dream start, racing into the lead in the sixth minute, but the visitors hit back through Abu Zrayq, who fired home from close range after being set up by Kehinde Oyewusi.
Both sides continued to carve out chances, but neither could find a second goal before the break.
The visitors then went in front on the hour mark when Oyewusi pounced on a defensive slip from the Nigerian second-tier outfit.
Match Highlights 🎬 El-Kanemi Warriors 🆚 Raja Club Athletic 💚 https://t.co/wiaGo2NUDA
— Raja Club Athletic (@RCAofficiel) October 18, 2026
Even after falling behind, El-Kanemi showed great fighting spirit and refused to give up, snatching a deserved equaliser in the 82nd minute.
The tie is still wide open, with both sides set to meet again at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on October 23rd for a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
The Maiduguri side, who made it to the semi-finals of the African Cup Winners' Cup back in 1993, will now need another big performance to keep their continental journey alive.
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