FC Fassell’s maiden journey in the CAF Champions League came to an end on Saturday with a 3–0 defeat against MC Alger at the Ali Ammar Stadium in Algiers. The result, following a 0–0 draw in the first leg in Monrovia, eliminated the Liberian club at the preliminary stage.
Head coach Amir Alagić reshuffled his lineup in hopes of boosting attacking play, starting forward Victor Mansaray and experienced midfielder Zah Krangar. Fassell had managed only one shot on target in the opening leg.
The home side struck first in the 19th minute when defender Titus Yeah’s failed clearance allowed Ayoub Abdellaoui to put MC Alger ahead. Fassell nearly equalized soon after, but Josiah Cea’s effort, set up by Krangar, was stopped by goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane.
Just before halftime, a mix-up between goalkeeper Ahmad Savage and defender Josephus Mentor gifted Soufiane Bayazid a second goal for MCA, sending the Algerians into the break with a 2–0 advantage.
Fassell pushed harder in the second half, introducing Ndene Cissé and Mark Paye. Despite showing greater urgency and several saves from Savage, the Liberian side failed to find the net. In stoppage time, with Fassell down to ten men after exhausting their substitutions, Amine Messoussa sealed the victory on a counterattack to make it 3–0.
The loss ends FC Fassell’s first appearance in Africa’s top club competition. While their campaign was short-lived, the experience is viewed as an important step in the club’s growth as they now turn focus back to domestic competitions.
