Nigeria’s surviving representative in the CAF Champions League, Rangers International, staged a late rally to secure a 2-0 victory over Algerian side MC Alger in the first leg of their tie.
The Flying Antelopes had to dig deep to overcome the North Africans, scoring both goals in the final six minutes of the encounter played at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
Backed by a sizeable contingent of travelling supporters, MC Alger frustrated the Nigerians for most of the match before eventually crumbling towards the end.
Rangers, who were reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off for a foul early in the first half, were rewarded for their persistence in the 84th minute when they were awarded a penalty, which Kenneth Igbokwe converted.
The Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored side continued to push for another goal and were rewarded in the 87th minute when James Emo struck to seal a crucial two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Algiers.
Despite the comfortable cushion, Rangers will need to brace themselves for a tough encounter in Algeria, where they will face a hostile atmosphere and a determined MC Alger side seeking to overturn the deficit on home soil.
