EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League Chief Operating Officer Ayo Abdulrahman has urged Rangers players to remain mentally prepared for their CAF Champions League second-leg encounter against MC Alger, warning that the Algerian side will pose a tough challenge despite trailing 2-0 on aggregate, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Abdulrahman stressed the need for concentration, determination and tactical discipline as the Nigerian champions prepare for Friday’s return fixture at the Stade Ali-Ammar in Douéra, Algeria.
“Rangers players showed determination to win even when they were one player down, and winning by two goals was a befitting reward for the hardworking players and managers of the team,” Abdulrahman was quoted as saying by NPFL Media.
“It’s not going to be a tea party; don’t expect them to offer you flowers. Stay focused, take the fight to them, and respond to the dictates of the game, especially when you have to defend,” he added.
Rangers head into the encounter with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Abeokuta, where their victory was accompanied by complaints from MC Alger over the officiating and the treatment of their delegation.
The Algerian club questioned the penalty awarded to Rangers and the dismissal of Oussama Benhaoua, who received a second yellow card. MC Alger disputed both decisions, arguing that the penalty was unwarranted and that Benhaoua’s dismissal was unjustified.
MC Alger further rejected suggestions that their supporters were responsible for damaging seats at the stadium, claiming the seats were already damaged before kick-off.
The club also criticised the reported $20 ticket price for its travelling supporters, describing it as excessive compared with prices at other African stadiums where they had played.
The allegations reflect MC Alger’s account of the events in Abeokuta and have not been independently established.
Rangers travelled to Algeria ahead of Friday’s decisive encounter, which is scheduled to kick off at 8pm Nigerian time.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the group stage of the CAF Champions League, leaving Rangers with the task of protecting their advantage against an MC Alger side seeking to overturn the deficit on home soil.