Nigerian champions Rangers have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League after suffering a 3-0 defeat to MC Alger in the second leg of their second preliminary round clash on Friday. The Algerian side advanced 3-2 on aggregate, overturning the 2-0 lead Rangers had built from the first leg.

Rangers showed considerable resilience in the opening half, with goalkeeper Destiny Abuchi producing two outstanding saves to frustrate MC Alger in front of their home crowd.

Boukholda opens the door

The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Chahreddine Boukholda gave MC Alger a lifeline. Rangers still held the advantage on aggregate, and Abuchi reinforced that lead in the 70th minute by saving a penalty from Mohamed Bangoura.

Bangoura, however, refused to be denied. The forward atoned for his spot-kick miss six minutes from time, converting a composed finish to level the tie on aggregate and throw the contest wide open.

Stoppage-time heartbreak

With the scores level overall, Soufiane Bayazid delivered the killer blow deep into stoppage time, completing a stunning comeback that sent MC Alger through to the next round and brought Rangers' campaign to a painful end.

The defeat carries wider consequences for Nigerian football. Rangers' exit means Nigeria no longer has a team in the CAF Champions League group phase, following Rivers United's earlier elimination in the first preliminary round.