Nigerian champions Rangers International of Enugu were
knocked out of the CAF Champions League on Friday after a 3-0 defeat to
Algeria's MC Alger at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers.
The result gave Rangers a 3-2 aggregate loss, despite
their 2-0 win over the Algerians in the first leg in Abeokuta last weekend. The
Flying Antelopes failed to protect their advantage and gave way to late
pressure as MC Alger scored three unanswered goals to book a place in the group
stage.
After a goalless first half, MC Alger needed three
goals in the second half to overturn the deficit. The comeback started in the
58th minute, when Chahreddine Boukholda put the hosts ahead. With six minutes
left in regulation time, Guinean forward Mohamed Bangoura scored the second to
level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
With the contest seemingly heading for a penalty
shootout, Soufiane Bayazid struck three minutes into stoppage time to complete
the turnaround and seal a 3-0 win on the night and a 3-2 aggregate victory.
The result ended Rangers' bid to reach the group
stage. MC Alger will now look to progress further in the competition as they
chase a second continental title, 50 years after winning their first in 1976.
Comments:
Leave a Reply