MC Algiers lose to Nigerian Rangers

MC Algiers suffered a 2-0 defeat against their hosts Rangers in a match that took place on Sunday afternoon on an artificial turf in Nigeria, as part of the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The match was difficult for the Algerian team, who finished the game with ten players since the 53rd minute, after the referee showed a red card to midfielder Osama Ben Hawa.

The Nigerian team took advantage of their opponent's numerical disadvantage in the closing minutes, scoring two late goals in the 81st and 85th minutes. The first goal came from a penalty, before Rangers added a second, leaving goalkeeper Abdellatif Ramdane to concede two crucial goals.

With this result, MC Algiers is required to compensate for their loss in the return match, scheduled for the evening of October 23 at home, in order to keep their hopes alive for qualification to the next round.

The return match is set to take place in Algeria, officiated by a referee team from Lesotho, while coach Khaled Ben Yahia's team aims to exploit the home advantage and the support of their fans to overturn the result and secure qualification.