MC Alger produced a dramatic late turnaround to reach the CAF Champions League group stage, while Raja Casablanca secured their return to African club competition with victory over El Kanemi Warriors.

The Algerian side overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit by beating Enugu Rangers 3-0 at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers on Friday. The result gave MC Alger a 3-2 aggregate win in the second preliminary round and booked their place in the group stage.

The comeback matched a feat achieved by the club 50 years ago, when MC Alger also overturned a result against the same opponents in the semi-finals in 1976.

MC Alger had several opportunities to break the deadlock before half-time, with chances falling in the 35th, 44th and first minute of added time. They finally took the lead in the 58th minute when Chahreddine Boukholda headed in after a team-mate had flicked on a corner.

Mohamed Zougrana then saw his headed effort loop over the crossbar in the 65th minute. The hosts missed another opportunity to extend their advantage five minutes later when Mohamed Saliou Bangoura failed to convert a penalty awarded after Marwane Khelif had been fouled.

Bangoura made amends in the 85th minute, restoring the aggregate advantage MC Alger needed to progress. The decisive moment came in the second minute of added time, when Soufiane Bayazid met a corner and finished to complete the turnaround.

The qualification means MC Alger have reached the CAF Champions League group stage for the third consecutive time.

Raja Casablanca also claimed a place in the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup after ending a year-long absence from African inter-club competition.

The Moroccan club beat El Kanemi Warriors 2-0 at the Mohammed V Stadium to progress 4-2 on aggregate. Raja had drawn 2-2 in Nigeria in the first leg last week, leaving them in a strong position before the return match.

The home side had to wait until the closing stages to make that advantage count. Aymen Barkok opened the scoring with a direct free-kick in the 88th minute, before Marian Huja added a second in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The result sends Raja Casablanca back into the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after their season away from African club competition.