Preview: MC Alger Seeks Revenge Against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo in CAF Champions League Clash

ALGIERS, Algeria (Interstat) — MC Alger will host FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a critical CAF Champions League group stage match, looking to overturn a recent defeat and solidify its knockout round ambitions.

The fixture, set for Feb. 1, 2026, is a swift rematch. Just one week prior, Saint-Eloi Lupopo earned a narrow 1-0 home victory over the Algerian side on Jan. 25. That result gives the visiting Congolese club a valuable edge heading into the return leg.

MC Alger, the home side, will be desperate to avenge that loss and convert domestic form into continental success. In Algeria’s Ligue 1, Mouloudia has been strong, losing only once in its last eight domestic matches. That run includes a 1-0 victory over CS Constantine and a 2-0 win against ES Setif in late December. However, its Champions League campaign has been inconsistent, with a draw against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and a loss to Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman preceding the defeat in Congo.

FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo arrives with momentum from the head-to-head win but has experienced mixed results in the tournament. Its campaign features a impressive 3-0 road victory at South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and a 1-1 home draw with Al Hilal Omdurman. However, it also suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on the road. The club’s resilience will be tested away from home in North Africa.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, MC Alger is projected to secure a 2-1 victory in the return fixture. This prediction underscores the perceived challenge for Saint-Eloi Lupopo on the road and the expected response from the motivated Algerian champions.

The match will likely hinge on whether MC Alger can solve Saint-Eloi Lupopo’s defensive structure, which kept a clean sheet last week, and if the visitors can replicate their disciplined performance in a hostile away environment. A win for MC Alger would dramatically tighten the group standings, while a positive result for Saint-Eloi Lupopo would solidify its surprising position near the top of the table.

Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday evening local time at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers.