Rulani Mokwena Hails Saint-Eloi Lupopo After MC Alger's Heartbreaking Champions League Loss

MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena expressed his deep disappointment after his team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League group stage on Sunday.

The Algerian side seemed destined for a goalless draw until a dramatic stoppage-time penalty, converted by DR Congo international Michael Kimputu, secured all three points for the Congolese club in a crucial encounter.

Speaking to the media in Lubumbashi, Rulani Mokwena conceded that his team was second-best for large portions of the match.

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"Congratulations to the opposition; I think they were the better team over 90 minutes, more especially in the first half," he stated. "We didn’t compete enough, and we arrived late for the duels; we arrived late for the second balls."

The coach highlighted his team's numerous errors and a lack of clinical finishing as key factors in the loss. He felt his squad improved after the break, but failed to capitalise on their chances.

"We made too many mistakes for a Champions League game, but in the second half, I thought we were a little bit better," Mokwena explained.

"It is just a pity that in a moment where we had some chances, we were let down by our decision-making. In the Champions League, you have to play for 90 minutes, not 45."

The victory propels Saint-Eloi Lupopo to third place in Group C, just one point behind co-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal, who both have five points. Meanwhile, MC Alger remains at the bottom of the group with a single point from three matches.

Having lost two games and drawn one, the Algerian giants' hopes of advancing to the knockout stage are fading. They will look to revive their campaign when they host Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the return fixture.