Angry MC Alger supporters allegedly attacked the club’s assistant coach and vandalised stadium facilities after their team lost 2-0 to Enugu Rangers in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round qualifying tie in Abeokuta on Sunday.
More than 400 Algerian fans reportedly lost their temper after the final whistle at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, destroying seats in the covered stands.
The supporters also followed the Algerian team towards the tunnel, where they allegedly assaulted one of the club’s assistant coaches before Nigerian police officers attached to the team intervened and rescued him from further attacks.
The incident reportedly extended to the VVIP section, where former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba was allegedly attacked by members of the Algerian delegation as he attempted to exchange pleasantries after the match.
Security operatives subsequently locked down the stadium to prevent further violence.
On the pitch, Rangers took a significant step towards securing a place in the group stage, with Kenneth Igboke converting an 81st-minute penalty before James Emo added a second goal late in the encounter.
The fiercely contested match also witnessed red cards for players from both sides, while an Algerian team official was sent off.
Rangers will travel to Algiers for the return leg on October 23, hoping to protect their two-goal advantage and secure progression.
However, the Nigerian champions have historical reasons to remain cautious. In 1976, Rangers defeated MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of their African Cup of Champions Clubs meeting but lost the return fixture 3-0, exiting 3-2 on aggregate.
MC Alger went on to win the continental title that year, defeating Guinea’s Hafia FC in the final.
Rangers will now seek to avoid a repeat of that painful reversal as they pursue a place in the competition’s group stage.
(Punch)
