Players of Algerian club MC Alger have held a crisis meeting ahead of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round return leg against Rangers, with the team determined to overturn a two goal deficit and secure qualification for the group stage.
DAILY POST reports that MC Alger suffered a 2 nil defeat to Rangers in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Saturday, leaving the Algerian side with a difficult task ahead of Friday’s decisive encounter in Algiers.
The return leg is scheduled to take place on October 23, with MC Alger needing a strong performance on home soil to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
The meeting was convened at the invitation of club captain Ayoub Abdelouali and head coach Ben Yahia. During the discussions, the players reportedly agreed to produce a historic performance in front of their home supporters and committed themselves to fighting for victory.
MC Alger are targeting a win by at least three goals to overturn the first leg result and book their place in the group stage of the competition. The players understand that they must deliver a significantly improved performance after failing to score in the opening encounter in Abeokuta.
The crisis meeting followed a separate session involving the club’s management, which was aimed at motivating the squad and preparing the players mentally for the important return fixture.
During that session, the management urged the team to give everything on the pitch and ensure they do not pay the price for their defeat in Nigeria. The players were encouraged to approach the encounter with determination as they seek to reverse the outcome of the first leg.
With their qualification hopes hanging in the balance, MC Alger must overcome the two goal deficit against a Rangers side that will travel to Algeria seeking to protect its advantage and advance to the next stage.
The outcome of Friday’s encounter will determine which team progresses to the group stage of the CAF Champions League, making the fixture crucial for both sides.
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