Nigeria champions Rangers International defeated Algerian side MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round first leg on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Having battled past Sobemap in the previous round, Rangers played their best game yet to edge the Algerians at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Just a few minutes into the contest, Rangers lost their goalkeeper, Lucky Abdullahi, to a red card for fouling the opposition. With a huge mountain to climb, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s boys started fighting hard and remained in the contest, limiting the opponents to few chances at goal. Even after losing midfielder Azeez Falolu to injury, the Flying Antelopes still managed to get to halftime with the game goalless.
In the second half, the visitors also lost a player to a red card. Rangers then upped the ante as they went in search of the game’s opening goal. Late in the contest, Chimobi Igwilo was brought down in the area, and Super Eagles defender Kenneth Igboke struck the ball home for Rangers’ lead. Moments later, Emo James doubled the home side’s lead, as they held out for a precious 2-0 advantage ahead of the second leg next weekend.
In Ikenne, Elkanemi Warriors scored a late equalizer to force a 2-2 draw against Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca. Former Dakkada star Utibe Archibong scored for the hosts in the sixth minute. However, the visitors capitalized on a defensive blunder to level the score through Mohammad Faisal in the 27th minute. The game went into the break level.
After the interval, Nigerian forward Kehinde Oyewusi pounced on another mistake from Elkanemi goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe, finishing into an unguarded net to put the visitors ahead in the 61st minute. Elkanemi continued to live on the edge, but seven minutes before full-time, former MFM forward Nnamdi Mejuobi pounced on a loose ball from a corner to equalize for the Borno side.
Both Rangers and Elkanemi will travel to Algeria and Morocco respectively for the second legs of their competitions. The winners on aggregate will advance to the group stages of the competition.
Image credit: Raji Muzamil
