Rangers International strengthened Nigeria’s prospects in the CAF Champions League on Sunday, defeating Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0 in Abeokuta despite being a man down for much of the first leg.

Rangers recover from early dismissal

1. In the first leg of the Second Preliminary Round at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Rangers had a player dismissed in the 13th minute.
2. Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu was forced into an early tactical reshuffle, but his side remained resilient and kept the match scoreless through to half-time.
3. MC Alger were also left with 10 players in the 52nd minute after their No. 23 received a red card. The sending-off led to a brief stoppage in play.
4. Tensions continued to build, with an MC Alger official sent away from the technical area in the 70th minute.
5. Rangers finally found the breakthrough from a penalty in the 83rd minute before James Emo added a second goal four minutes later.

The Nigerian side will travel to Algeria for the return match on 23 October carrying a two-goal advantage, with a place in the group phase at stake.

El Kanemi held by Raja Casablanca

Nigeria’s other continental representatives, El Kanemi Warriors, could not secure a first-leg win as they drew 2-2 with Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

1. El Kanemi made a rapid start and opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
2. Raja, two-time winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, drew level in the 24th minute through Mohammed Sharara, leaving the contest tied at the interval.
3. The visitors moved ahead on the hour mark when Nigerian-born attacker Mathias Oyewusi scored.
4. Raja appeared on course for an important away victory until El Kanemi struck again with eight minutes remaining to restore parity.

The two Nigerian clubs now face contrasting challenges in their second legs. Rangers need only defend their advantage in Algeria, while El Kanemi must seek a result in Casablanca after twice demonstrating at the Remo Stars Stadium that they can cause Raja problems.