MC Alger suffer late defeat as Raja Casablanca held in CAF action

MC Alger’s hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage were dealt a major blow as they suffered a 2-0 defeat by Enugu Rangers in Nigeria, while Raja Casablanca were held to a 2-2 draw by El Kanemi Warriors in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Algerian side appeared set to benefit from playing against 10 men after Enugu Rangers’ Lucky Jimoh was sent off in the 13th minute at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday.

However, MC Alger failed to make their numerical advantage count. The visitors were later reduced to 10 players themselves before Enugu Rangers struck twice in the closing stages, scoring in the 84th minute and again in the 87th.

The result leaves MC Alger facing a difficult second leg in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. They must overturn the deficit in Algiers on 23 October to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Coach Khaled Ben Yahia is under growing pressure, with supporters already calling for his departure after the late collapse.

Raja Casablanca also conceded late in Nigeria, but secured a potentially valuable draw away from home in their CAF Confederation Cup play-off against El Kanemi Warriors at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The hosts made a fast start, taking the lead in the sixth minute. Raja Casablanca responded through Mohammad Abu Zrayq, who levelled in the 24th minute.

The Moroccan club then completed the turnaround shortly after the hour mark, with Mathias Oyewusi Kehinde putting them ahead in the 60th minute.

But El Kanemi Warriors found an equaliser eight minutes from full time, leaving the tie level at 2-2 ahead of the return match in Casablanca on 23 October.

Raja Casablanca will take confidence from scoring twice away from home. Under the away-goals rule, another draw in Morocco would be enough to send the Moroccan side through.