MC Alger vs Rangers preview: two goals to protect and a place in the group stage
Rangers take a 2-0 lead to Algeria on Friday. A draw, a win or even a one-goal defeat sends the NPFL champions into the CAF Champions League group stage.
· Ali La Pointe Stadium, Algiers
What to watch: MC Alger win 3-2 on aggregate with a stoppage-time goal. Rangers are out.
Read moreRangers have done the hard part. Down to ten men from the 13th minute in Abeokuta on Sunday, they held MC Alger off for 80 minutes and then scored twice in four minutes through Kenneth Igboke's penalty and James Emo. Read the full first-leg report for how it happened.
What each side needs
- Rangers go through with a win, a draw or a defeat by one goal.
- A 2-0 MC Alger win levels the tie on aggregate, and the competition's rules decide it from there.
- MC Alger qualify outright with a win by three goals or more.
One more thing that helps Rangers: they did not concede at home. Any goal they score in Algeria forces MC Alger to score even more.
The danger for Rangers
A two-goal lead away from home is never comfortable in the Champions League. An early MC Alger goal would turn a good position into a long, nervous night. Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo's message before the first leg was simple: the first thing is not to concede. That applies twice as much on Friday.
Africa Soccer reports that Oussama Benhaoua was sent off in the 53rd minute in Abeokuta. Whether he is suspended for the second leg has not been confirmed in the reports we have seen.
Why it matters at home
Rangers are level with Rivers United on 17 points at the top of the NPFL with a game in hand, after their league game against Bendel Insurance was postponed for this tie. A run in the group stage would bring prize money and attention to the league, but also a crowded fixture list. Our Matchday 9 round-up has the table.
We will have the result and reaction on Friday night.
Sources
- CAF CL: MC Alger face huge test after Enugu Rangers defeat and Oussama Benhaoua's red card · Africa Soccer (opens in a new tab)
- CAF Champions League: Rangers strike late to beat MC Alger · Premium Times (opens in a new tab)
- 10-man Rangers beat MC Alger 2-0 in Abeokuta drama · Pulse Sports (opens in a new tab)
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Matchday Writer
Tobenna writes Naija Playbook previews, the Weekend Board and After 90 reports. He watches the NPFL as closely as he watches Europe.
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