Algerian side Mouloudia Club D’Alger on Wednesday set up a first round meeting with Nigerian debutants MFM FC in the CAF Champions League after a comprehensive 9-0 bashing of Congolese side AS Otoho.
The Algerian league runners up lost 0-2 to Otoho in the first leg in Brazaville but remarkably turned around the fixture in an incredulous manner inside freezing conditions in Algiers. Star striker Hicham Nekkache scored four goals in the rout for the Algerians who scored their first goal on the night from the penalty spot with five minutes on the clock.
Walid Derrardja converted the spot kick before Nekkache doubled the lead with a well improvised overhead kick. The turnaround was completed before half time before the hosts added six further goals in the second half. The highlight of the game however came in the second half when Otoho players took turns to leave the pitch due to what they called “unbearable cold”.
Two changes were made at half time before goalkeeper Wolfrigon Mongondza left the pitch ten minutes after the interval, with reserve goalkeeper Garcia Elion taking his place with scores at 4-0.
By the time Nekkache scored his fourth of the game, his team’s ninth in the 80th minute, only six Otoho players remained on the pitch. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat called the game off after it became obvious it had turned to a farce.
The Algerians progressed to the first round where they will face Nigerian church side MFM FC in Lagos on March 6 before hosting the return leg in Algiers ten days later.
