Rangers take 2-0 lead to Algiers, El-Kanemi held 2-2: what each needs on Friday

Rangers International take a 2-0 lead to Algiers after beating MC Alger with 10 men in the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie in Abeokuta on Sunday, 18 October 2026. On the same day, El-Kanemi Warriors drew 2-2 with Raja Casablanca in the Confederation Cup in Ikenne.

Both return legs are on Friday, 23 October, and both ties decide a place in the group stages. Rangers and El-Kanemi are the only Nigerian clubs still in African competition this season, after Rivers United and Shooting Stars went out in the first round.

How did 10-man Rangers beat MC Alger?

Rangers lost their goalkeeper, Lucky Jimoh, to a red card in the 13th minute at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Premium Times and Flashscore reported. MC Alger were also reduced to 10 men when Oussama Benhaoua was sent off for a second yellow card in the 51st minute, according to TheCable and Flashscore.

The game was goalless at half-time. Kenneth Igboke scored a penalty in the 84th minute and James Emo added a second three minutes later, Premium Times and ThisDay reported. TheCable and Flashscore described Emo’s goal as a solo effort.

The match was refereed by Washington Dolo of Liberia, whom CAF had appointed for the tie, The Liberian Investigator reported before kick-off.

How did El-Kanemi hold Raja?

At the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, El-Kanemi took the lead in the sixth minute. Raja’s Mohamed Abu Zrayq equalised midway through the first half, and Oyewusi, whom Complete Sports described as a Nigerian-born striker, put the Moroccan side ahead shortly after the hour, Complete Sports and Nigeriasoccernet reported.

Nnamdi Mejuobi then levelled for El-Kanemi seven minutes from the end, the two outlets reported, so the Maiduguri club go to Morocco still in the tie.

What does each club need on Friday?

Away goals still count in CAF club competitions: Rivers United went out of this season’s Champions League on away goals against San Pédro of Côte d’Ivoire, SuperSport reported in September. A GistMatrix look at the possible scores:

• Rangers go through with a win, a draw or a one-goal defeat in Algiers. MC Alger need to win by three clear goals to go through outright. A 2-0 win for the Algerians would leave the teams level on aggregate and on away goals.
• El-Kanemi must win in Casablanca, or draw 3-3 or higher. Raja’s two goals in Ikenne count as away goals, so a goalless or 1-1 draw would send the Moroccans through. A 2-2 draw would leave the tie level on aggregate and on away goals.

Who are they up against?

MC Alger are the Algerian champions. They reached this round by beating ASN Nigelec of Niger 5-0 on aggregate, Blueprint reported. Raja have won the CAF Champions League three times, Sports247 noted, and had a bye in the first round.

Rangers, the NPFL champions, needed penalties to get past AS Sobemap of Benin after two 1-1 draws. El-Kanemi beat UDIB of Guinea-Bissau 3-1 on aggregate.

What it means for the NPFL title race

CAF duty has already cost Rangers league games. Their Matchday 9 match against Bendel Insurance was postponed, the News Agency of Nigeria reported, and their Matchday 10 trip to Sporting Lagos on Saturday, 24 October, is also listed as postponed on the NPFL’s fixtures page.

That let Rivers United go top on goal difference after their goalless draw with Barau on Sunday. Both clubs have 17 points, but Rangers have played eight games to Rivers’ nine, the official NPFL table shows. Sporting Lagos are third on 15 points after a 3-2 win at Plateau United.

What happens next

• Friday, 23 October: MC Alger host Rangers at the Stade Ali-la-Pointe in Algiers, and Raja host El-Kanemi at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, according to beIN Sports’ listings and Flashscore.
• The prize: the winners go into the group stages of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.
• The league: Rivers United visit Bendel Insurance on Sunday, 25 October, the NPFL fixtures show.

The video with this story is Rangers International’s official highlights of the first leg.

Were you in Abeokuta or Ikenne on Sunday? Send GistMatrix your photos and videos.