CAFCL: MC Alger pen fans after Sundowns result

In the aftermath of the exit from the CAF Champions League (CAFCL), Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MC Alger) has addressed the Algerian team’s supporters.

The Algerian Ligue 1 champions have released a statement, apologising to the club’s fans for the Champions League disappointment.

The Rulani Mokwena-led team bowed out of the group-stage after losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday.

Masandawana fans also showed love to Rulani Mokwena after Sundowns’ 2-0 win over MC Alger in the CAF Champions League yesterday 👆❤️#AirMobile #BetwayPrem #Shield #AbsaFootballFridays pic.twitter.com/OjdLk5wFpj

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) February 15, 2026

In the statement, MC Alger’s Management described the team’s failure to secure a place in the Champions League quarterfinal stage as unacceptable, hence took responsibility for the result.

“The management of MC Alger sincerely apologises to its loyal fans, especially the supporters who travelled to South Africa and supported the team despite the difficulty of traveling to Pretoria, the southernmost continent, following the loss to Mamelodi Sundowns and the elimination from the CAF Champions League group- stage,” reads part of the statement.

Why MC Alger apologised to their supporters

“We share the disappointment that everyone felt within the club, with the management, technical staff and players.

“We know very well that our fans were expecting the best from us. It is their right to be angry and it is our duty to take responsibility for this failure in the strongest continental competition which requires greater experience.”

A good number of MC Alger’s supporters travelled to Pretoria for the match. A return air ticket from Algeria to South Africa costs in the ranges of USD500 to USD1,000.

The Algerian Ligue 1 champions hired Mokwena last year on a two-year contract to replace Tunisian Khaled Ben Yahia. The former Sundowns man was expected to help the North African club improve on its Champions League quarterfinal finish in the previous year.

However, the South African fell short of meeting such a target. In a post-match interview on Saturday, Mokwena, who has already won the Algerian Super Cup, said he could not comment on his future with the North African side.

The team’s board has since promised to do a thorough post-mortem of MC Alger’s campaign in the continental competition that saw them winning twice, drawing once and losing twice.

MC Alger vow to do Champions League postmortem

“The Management confirms that it will thoroughly assess this participation, work on correcting mistakes and learning necessary lessons in order to return stronger in the future to the African arena,” adds the statement.

The Algerian champions registered 2-1 and 2-0 victories over Al Hilal Omdurman and FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo while losing 1-0 and 2-1 away to the Congolese and the Sudanese opponents. The other result was a goalless draw with Sundowns.

Such results proved inadequate for MC Alger to sail through to the Champions League quarterfinal stage. Instead, it was Al Hilal and Sundowns who progressed to the last-eight stage.

MC Alger will now concentrate on domestic league action. MC Alger currently sit four points clear at the summit of Ligue 1 with four games in hand over their nearest rivals, CS Constantine.