MC Alger complete dramatic Champions League comeback as Raja Casablanca return to African competition

MC Alger overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Enugu Rangers with a stoppage-time winner to reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League, while Raja Casablanca also secured progress in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Algerian side won 3-0 at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers on Friday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate in the second qualifying round.

MC Alger had several opportunities to open the scoring before half-time, with chances falling in the 35th, 44th and 45th minutes. Their breakthrough eventually came in the 58th minute when Chahreddine Boukholda headed in after a team-mate’s flick-on from a corner.

The home side came close to adding a second when Mohamed Zougrana’s headed effort bounced over the crossbar in the 65th minute. Seven minutes later, Mohamed Saliou Bangoura missed a penalty won by Marwane Khelif.

Bangoura made amends in the 85th minute, scoring to bring MC Alger level on aggregate. Soufiane Bayazid then completed the comeback by meeting a corner in the second minute of added time.

The result means Mouloudia have reached the group stage of the CAF Champions League for a third consecutive season.

The success also echoed a previous meeting between the clubs. MC Alger repeated the achievement of 50 years ago, when they overturned the same opponents in the semi-finals in 1976.

Meanwhile, Raja Casablanca will return to African inter-club competition after a year away, qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.

Raja followed up last week’s 2-2 draw away to El Kanemi Warriors with a 2-0 victory at the Mohammed V Stadium. The Moroccan club secured its place in the next stage with two late goals.

Aymen Barkok put Raja ahead with a direct free-kick in the 88th minute. Marian Huja then added a second in the fifth minute of stoppage time to confirm the hosts’ progress.

The two clubs therefore qualified for their respective group stages, with MC Alger continuing in the CAF Champions League and Raja Casablanca returning to the CAF Confederation Cup after their absence from African inter-club competition last season.