Rangers International of Enugu have been denied a first-ever appearance in the group stage of the CAF Champions League following a 3-0 loss at MC Alger on Friday night.
The result of the second leg preliminary round sealed a 3-2 aggregate loss for Rangers despite Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg.
The Flying Antelopes were undone by three second half goals- including two late strikes- to miss out on the money-spinning group phase.
MC Alger found the breakthrough on 58 minutes through Chahreddine Boukholda’s finish at the back post following a perfectly-timed run. Mohamed Bangoura had the opportunity to doubled the lead from the penalty spot, but his spotkick was saved by Abuchi Okeke, the Rangers goalkeeper.
However, he could not prevent the Guinean international sending a precise shot into the net from six yards six minutes from time to level the tie. Sofiane Bayazid met a corner kick at the near post to complete the turnaround two minutes into added time, and seal Rangers’ fate.
Rangers’ exit means there will be no Nigerian club in the group stage this season, while the Flying Antelopes endure the record of not reaching the group stage in the club’s history.
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