Nigerian teams Rangers International and El-Kanemi Warriors faced tough exits from continental tournaments on Friday. Late goals dashed their hopes of moving forward against Algeria’s MC Alger and Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic.
Rangers lost their 2-0 first-leg lead, falling 3-0 in Algiers. This left them with a 3-2 aggregate loss in the CAF Champions League. Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors conceded two late goals in Casablanca, ending their run in the CAF Confederation Cup with a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
Both Nigerian clubs had set themselves up for success after solid first-leg results. But their journeys ended in disappointment as their North African rivals made key plays when it mattered most.
MC Alger Stages Comeback to Beat Rangers
Rangers’ chances of making it to the CAF Champions League group stage vanished when MC Alger scored three goals in the second half. This comeback turned the tables on the Nigerian champions, who had a strong first-leg lead.
The Flying Antelopes went to Algeria with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Abeokuta. They showed great strength, even after losing goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh in the 13th minute.
Kenneth Igboke scored a penalty and James Emo added another late in the match, giving Rangers a strong lead. But they could not keep up that defense in Algiers. MC Alger slowly changed the game and kept their hopes alive.
Chahreddine Boukholda sparked the hosts' hopes in the 58th minute, pulling the score to 2-1 on aggregate. The Algerian side gained confidence, believing a comeback was possible.
With time running out, Mohamed Bangoura scored in the 84th minute, leveling the aggregate score. Rangers found themselves in a tough spot as the match neared a possible penalty shootout.
In stoppage time, Soufiane Bayazid scored in the 92nd minute, completing MC Alger's stunning comeback and sending Rangers out of the tournament.
For Rangers, this defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. They had a strong chance to advance but could not hold onto their lead under late pressure.
This loss also brings back memories of a painful time for Rangers. In 1976, they lost to MC Alger in a similar fashion, and that team went on to win the title. Now, Rangers must shift their focus back to domestic football after this setback.
El-Kanemi Warriors Fall to Late Goals from Raja
El-Kanemi Warriors also faced a heartbreaking exit after Raja Club Athletic scored two late goals. This gave Raja a 2-0 victory in Casablanca, sealing a 4-2 aggregate win in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Nigerian team entered this match with confidence after their first leg ended in a 2-2 draw in Ikenne. They knew that a goalless draw would get them to the group stage.
For most of the match, El-Kanemi stayed disciplined and frustrated their opponents. They kept Raja from scoring as the hosts pushed for a breakthrough.
But El-Kanemi’s defense finally broke in the 88th minute. Aymen Barkok scored from a brilliant free-kick, giving Raja the lead and shifting the aggregate score to 3-2.
With time running out, El-Kanemi faced a tough challenge. Their hopes faded as Raja pressed for more goals. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Portuguese defender Marian Huja scored again, making it 2-0 and securing Raja’s 4-2 aggregate win.
This late double strike was tough for El-Kanemi, who had held their own for most of the match. But they couldn’t withstand Raja’s late surge.
This defeat ends El-Kanemi's hopes of reaching the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage. They had a chance in the first leg, but could not finish the job in Morocco.
Raja has now secured their place in the group stage and aims for their third Confederation Cup title. The Moroccan club will now focus on the next part of their continental journey.
El-Kanemi Warriors must now turn their attention back to domestic football after their exit, joining Rangers in a disappointing night for Nigerian clubs.
A Tough Night for Nigerian Club Football
The exits of Rangers and El-Kanemi Warriors highlight the challenges Nigerian clubs face against experienced North African teams in two-legged matches.
Both teams had realistic hopes of advancing, thanks to their first-leg results. But late goals turned their promising positions into painful eliminations.
Rangers’ collapse in Algiers was especially hard to take, given their two-goal advantage, while El-Kanemi's defense held up until the last moments before Raja scored twice.
With their continental campaigns now over, both Nigerian teams must regroup and focus on their domestic leagues. Meanwhile, MC Alger and Raja Club Athletic will continue in their respective competitions.
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