St Eloi Lupopo come up with Dramatic CAF CL Stoppage-Time Victory Over MC Alger
The tension at the Stade de la Victoire was palpable on Sunday, January 25, 2026, as FC Saint Eloi Lupopo played host to MC Alger in a Matchday 3 encounter that turned out as a do or die either side.
In a contest defined by tactical discipline and physical battles in the midfield, Lupopo managed to snatch a dramatic 1-0 victory in the final seconds, effectively breathing new life into their CAF Champions League campaign while leaving their Algerian opponents in a precarious position.
For much of the match, it appeared that MC Alger’s defensive organization would win the day. Under the guidance of coach Rulani Mokwena, the visitors from Algiers remained compact, frustrating Lupopo’s creative outlets and successfully neutralizing the atmosphere of the Lubumbashi crowd. The Algerians looked comfortable playing for a draw, relying on a structure that allowed very few clear-cut opportunities for the home side throughout the ninety minutes of regulation time.
The narrative of the match shifted entirely during five minutes of agonizing stoppage time. Just as the points seemed destined to be shared, substitute Enock Molia drew a foul from MC Alger’s Ghezala inside the penalty area. The referee’s decision to award a penalty in the 95th minute sparked scenes of both desperation and hope. Defender Michael Kimputu took on the responsibility, calmly slotting the ball home to secure the 1-0 win and ignite a massive celebration across the stadium.
This result has massive implications for the landscape of Group C. With this victory, St Eloi Lupopo has climbed to four points, placing them just one point behind the co-leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Hilal Omdurman. Meanwhile, MC Alger remains at the bottom of the table with only a single point to their name at the halfway stage of the group phase. The pressure now shifts back to Algiers for the return leg, where the Algerian champions will be forced to hunt for a victory to avoid an early exit from the competition.
