The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ugandan security officer Dixon Adol Okello for Friday’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round return leg between MC Alger and Rangers International, adding a significant security appointment to a fixture already overshadowed by disorder during the first leg in Nigeria.
The match is scheduled for 23 October 2026 at Stade Ali Ammar in Douera, Algiers, with kickoff set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT), according to CAF’s official appointment document.
Okello’s designation as security officer stands out ahead of the encounter, which follows Rangers’ formal complaint to CAF over the conduct of MC Alger supporters during the first leg in Abeokuta.
The Nigerian champions defeated the Algerian side 2-0 at the MKO Abiola Stadium on 18 October, but the result was followed by reports of damaged stadium seats and confrontations involving sections of the visiting supporters and their team’s technical staff.
Rangers subsequently petitioned CAF, requesting that the return fixture be played behind closed doors, alongside an investigation, appropriate disciplinary action and written security guarantees for their travelling delegation.
CAF’s latest appointment document confirms Okello’s role for the return leg. However, it does not explicitly state that his appointment was made in response to Rangers’ complaint, nor does it announce a decision on the club’s request for a closed-door match.
CAF names match officials for Algiers encounter
The appointment list also names Egyptian official Hisham Salaheldin Mostafa as match commissioner, with David Molise of Lesotho appointed as referee.
Molise will be assisted by Phatsoaane Soura and Shaun Siza Dlangamandla Siza, both from Lesotho, while Adam Sephalathi of Lesotho will serve as fourth official. Togo’s Koku Ognankotan Ntale has been appointed referee assessor.
The appointments outline the officials assigned to oversee the match and its administration, with Okello responsible for the designated security officer role.
The document does not detail any additional security measures, changes to spectator access or special conditions for the match.
Rangers’ complaint raises the stakes
The security appointment comes after Rangers alleged that visiting supporters broke down a stadium entrance gate, bypassed ticketing arrangements and vandalized seats following the first leg.
In their complaint, signed by general manager and chief executive officer Amobi Ezeaku, the Enugu based club asked CAF to review the incidents and consider sanctions against any party found responsible. Rangers also sought payment of outstanding admission fees arising from unauthorized entry.
The club submitted photographs and video recordings of the damage in support of its complaint, while expressing concern about the safety of its players, officials and travelling delegation ahead of the return fixture.
Rangers maintained that their request for a closed-door match was a preventive measure intended to protect those involved rather than a punishment for supporters who had behaved properly.
As of the latest appointment document provided, CAF has not publicly confirmed whether it will grant that request.
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Beyond the security concerns, the return leg remains a major sporting test for Rangers, who travel to Algeria with a 2-0 advantage from the first meeting.
The Nigerian champions had to reorganize after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off just after the 11th minute in Abeokuta. MC Alger later lost defender Benhaoua to a second yellow card, leaving both sides with 10 players.
Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty to break the deadlock before James Emo scored in the 86th minute, giving Rangers a valuable cushion ahead of the return.
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That advantage places the Enugu side in a strong position, but the second leg will determine whether they progress to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
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