Trailing 2-0 ahead of the return leg against Enugu Rangers, MC Alger will have to make do without the suspended Oussama Benhaoua and with an uncertain Ayoub Abdellaoui at centre-back. Foot Africa puts forward a probable XI, in Douéra.
The reigning Algerian champions host Enugu Rangers this Friday, 23 October 2026, at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT), at the Ali-la-Pointe stadium in Douéra, for the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. With a place in the group stage at stake, the match obliges MCA to overturn a two-goal deficit after their 2-0 defeat in the first leg on 18 October in Abeokuta.
CAF has officially lifted any threat of a behind-closed-doors match, which allows the Mouloudia’s 40,000 supporters to fill the stands at Douéra. On the sporting side, head coach Khaled Ben Yahia must cope with one absence and one uncertainty, and patch together a defence.
Benhaoua suspended, Abdellaoui uncertain
The first blow has been known since the first leg. Oussama Benhaoua, the MC Alger forward, was shown a straight red card in the 53rd minute. Suspended, he will miss the return leg, which deprives Khaled Ben Yahia of an attacking option at a time when his team must overturn a two-goal deficit.
At centre-back, uncertainty hangs over captain Ayoub Abdellaoui, whose participation is not guaranteed according to Foot Africa. His possible withdrawal would force the staff to rethink the entire back line, at a time when MCA can no longer afford any mistakes at the back.
Halaïmia on the left, Ferhat and Bangoura on the wings
To compensate, Algeria international right-back Réda Halaïmia is expected to fill in on the left side of the defence.
Up front, Zinedine Ferhat and forward Bangoura are reported fit and probable starters on the wings. The probable XI put forward by Foot Africa, unofficial, is as follows: Ramdane, Gassi, Menezla, Ghezala, Halaïmia, Zougrana, Mehdaoui, Boukholda, Ferhat, Naidji and Bangoura. A line-up to be taken as provisional, pending confirmation from the Mouloudia staff.
On the Nigerian side, head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu oversees a team that holds a two-goal lead from the first leg.
A nod to 1976 before kick-off
This fixture rekindles the 1976 European Cup semi-final, won by MC Alger, according to Foot Africa. A memory Algerian supporters can recall in the stands, even if the context has changed fifty years later.
Kick-off will be at 19:00 GMT this Friday, 23 October 2026, in Douéra.