Rangers International have petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to order their CAF Champions League return leg against MC Alger to be played behind closed doors following the destruction of stadium property by visiting supporters in Abeokuta.

READ ALSO: CAFCL Qualifier: Chaos in Abeokuta! MC Alger Fans Destroy Stadium Seats, Force Gate Open After 2-0 Defeat to Rangers | Sports247 Nigeria

The Nigerian champions, Rangers International, made the request after defeating Algerian club MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of their second preliminary-round tie at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

In a formal complaint sent to CAF, Rangers accused travelling fans of damaging stadium facilities, breaking down an entrance gate, vandalising seats, and entering the venue without following standard ticketing procedures.

Rangers, through their general manager and chief executive officer Amobi Ezeaku, asked CAF to investigate the incidents and impose appropriate sanctions. The club also requested payment of outstanding admission fees resulting from the unauthorised entry, providing photographic and video evidence alongside their petition.

The incidents have raised serious security concerns ahead of the return leg scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Algiers, Algeria.

The Nigerian side urged CAF to ensure adequate security measures are put in place to protect players, technical crew, and officials. They also asked that MC Alger and the Algerian Football Federation provide written assurances regarding crowd control and protection against violence or intimidation.

Rangers explained that their request for a closed-door match was intended to prevent further incidents and guarantee the safety of everyone involved, rather than punish responsible fans. The club cited several provisions of CAF Champions League regulations regarding disciplinary measures, ticketing arrangements, and match commissioner responsibilities.
Rangers urged CAF to review the match commissioner’s report before making a decision ahead of Friday’s encounter, stressing that football passion should never justify property destruction.

Despite the off-field concerns, the Nigerian club holds a solid 2-0 advantage heading into the crucial second leg as they target qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage.

Despite challenging results at the ongoing African Boxing Elite Championships 2026, Nigeria’s Head of Delegation, Capt. Rasulun Kashim, has expressed confidence in the country’s boxing prospects, insisting that sustained support and international exposure will produce stronger performances.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation board member made the declaration during an exclusive interview with Sports247 in Nairobi, where he praised the federation’s leadership for supporting the Nigerian contingent.

Kashim particularly commended the NBF president for the commitment demonstrated towards the team’s participation in the continental championship.

“I must commend our federation president. With the kind of support we are getting, I think we will surely do well,” he stated.

According to him, Nigeria arrived at the competition with strong belief in the abilities of its boxers and determination to compete favourably against other African nations.

Although some results have not gone Nigeria’s way, Kashim maintained that the athletes have demonstrated encouraging qualities.

“The boxers are good, and they are doing very well,” he said.

The delegation leader explained that developing successful athletes requires patience, regular competition and continuous investment in training and exposure.

He stressed that international tournaments offer important opportunities for Nigerian fighters to assess their abilities against opponents with different technical approaches.

Kashim also highlighted the importance of teamwork among federation officials, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.

He believes that consistent institutional support will help Nigerian boxing overcome challenges and build a stronger foundation for future competitions.

The delegation leader’s comments come after Nigerian boxers Aishat Gbadamosi and Abdulramon Abdulwahab experienced disappointing decisions against opponents from Algeria and Egypt.

Rather than allowing those setbacks to define Nigeria’s participation, Kashim expressed confidence in the athletes’ abilities and future development.

He maintained that the federation’s support remains vital to helping the country’s boxing talents realise their potential.

For Kashim, the Nairobi championship is not simply about immediate victories but also about building experience, strengthening confidence and preparing Nigerian boxers for future success.