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 supporters reportedly went on the rampage after the final whistle at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, destroying seats in the covered stands.

The supporters also reportedly followed the Algerian team towards the tunnel, where they allegedly assaulted one of the club’s assistant coaches. However, Nigerian police officers attached to the team intervened and rescued the coach 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 competition’s group stage, with Kenneth Igboke converting a penalty in the 81st minute before James Emo added a second goal late in the encounter.

The fiercely contested match also saw players from both teams receive red cards, 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 qualification for the next stage.

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 encounter but lost the return leg 3-0, crashing out 3-2 on aggregate.

MC Alger subsequently 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 CAF Champions League group stage.