By Iroyin Yoruba Television
ENUGU, Nigeria — October 25, 2026
Nigeria’s Rangers International and El-Kanemi Warriors have been eliminated from their respective African club competitions after late goals overturned their hopes of advancing to the next stage, dealing a setback to the country’s representation in continental football.
Rangers lost 3–0 away to Algeria’s MC Alger, surrendering a two-goal advantage from the first leg to exit the CAF Champions League 3–2 on aggregate. El-Kanemi Warriors also suffered elimination after losing 2–0 to Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic, which secured a 4–2 aggregate victory in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Both Nigerian clubs had entered their return matches with realistic opportunities to progress, but their opponents delivered decisive performances in the closing stages.
RANGERS LOSE TWO-GOAL ADVANTAGE IN ALGERIA
Rangers International travelled to Algeria with a 2–0 lead from the first leg, played in Abeokuta, where the Enugu-based club had shown resilience despite playing with 10 men for much of the match.
Goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off in the 13th minute of that encounter. Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty before James Emo scored late to give Rangers a significant advantage ahead of the return fixture.
However, the Nigerian champions struggled to protect their lead in Algiers.
MC Alger increased the pressure after the break, with Chahreddine Boukholda scoring in the 58th minute to reduce the aggregate deficit.
Mohamed Bangoura struck in the 84th minute, levelling the tie at 2–2 on aggregate and placing Rangers under severe pressure as the match approached its conclusion.
The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Soufiane Bayazid scored in the 92nd minute. His goal completed MC Alger’s comeback and secured a 3–2 aggregate victory.
For Rangers, the defeat ended their hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage this season. The result was particularly disappointing because the Nigerian side had entered the return match with a two-goal cushion.
EL-KANEMI FALL TO RAJA IN CASABLANCA
El-Kanemi Warriors also saw their continental campaign end after a difficult return match against Raja Club Athletic in Morocco.
The Nigerian side had drawn 2–2 with Raja in the first leg in Ikenne, leaving the tie finely balanced before the decisive encounter in Casablanca.
El-Kanemi needed a strong defensive performance to preserve their chances of progressing. For much of the return match, they managed to frustrate the Moroccan club and keep the contest close.
Their resistance was broken in the 88th minute when Aymen Barkok converted a free-kick to give Raja the lead on the night and put the hosts ahead on aggregate.
El-Kanemi then faced the difficult task of recovering in the closing minutes, but Raja delivered another blow in stoppage time.
Portuguese defender Marian Huja scored in the fifth minute of added time, sealing a 2–0 victory for the Moroccan side and a 4–2 aggregate success.
The result ended El-Kanemi’s hopes of advancing to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2026/27 season.
Although the Nigerian team had remained competitive for most of the encounter, the late goals proved decisive.
TWO ELIMINATIONS RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTINENTAL COMPETITIVENESS
The exits of Rangers and El-Kanemi highlight the challenges Nigerian clubs face when competing against experienced opponents in two-legged African competitions.
Both teams had secured first-leg results that left qualification within reach. Rangers had a two-goal advantage, while El-Kanemi had earned a draw that kept their tie open.
Yet neither side could complete the job away from home.
Rangers’ elimination was especially painful because they conceded three second-half goals after beginning the return match with a comfortable aggregate lead. El-Kanemi, meanwhile, remained in contention until the closing stages before conceding twice.
The results demonstrate how quickly the balance of a continental tie can change. Defensive concentration, management of pressure and decision-making in the final minutes can be as important as the performance that establishes an advantage in the first leg.
However, the two defeats alone do not establish the causes of the clubs’ setbacks or prove that Nigerian football as a whole is declining. A broader assessment would require examination of squad depth, preparation, finances, coaching and performances across multiple seasons.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR THE NIGERIAN CLUBS?
With their continental campaigns over, Rangers and El-Kanemi must redirect their attention to domestic football.
Rangers will look to recover from the disappointment of losing a Champions League tie they had placed themselves in a strong position to win. The club will need to assess its performance across both legs and identify areas requiring improvement.
El-Kanemi must similarly regroup after falling short against Raja, particularly after holding their opponents at bay for most of the return match.
For both teams, domestic competitions now provide an opportunity to rebuild confidence, maintain competitive momentum and prepare for future continental qualification opportunities.
Their exits also leave Nigerian supporters reflecting on what might have been, given the favourable first-leg positions both clubs had secured.
A DISAPPOINTING OUTCOME FOR NIGERIAN CLUB FOOTBALL
The elimination of two Nigerian representatives on the same continental weekend is a setback for the country's ambitions in African club football.
Rangers had the advantage of a two-goal lead but could not withstand MC Alger’s second-half comeback. El-Kanemi defended resolutely for much of their match before Raja scored twice late to secure progression.
Both results underline the importance of sustaining concentration throughout an entire match and converting promising first-leg performances into final qualification.
The clubs must now turn their attention to domestic responsibilities, while Nigerian football authorities and team officials can assess the lessons from the campaign.
For Rangers and El-Kanemi, the immediate task is to regroup and ensure that the disappointment of continental elimination does not undermine their remaining objectives for the season.