The value of Orlando Pirates' smash-and-grab victory over MC Alger in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal has been highlighted.
Mohau Nkota's second-half strike guided Pirates to a famous 1-0 win against all odds in Algiers to give themselves the advantage heading into the second leg.
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Leading Algerian newspaper Echorouk – which is published in Arabic – painted the picture of what now faces MC Alger.
"On Tuesday night, the Mouloudia Club of Algiers complicated its situation and is now required to achieve something resembling a 'miracle' to reach the semi-finals of the African Champions League," read the headline on their sports section.
It all makes sense as MCA have never been the best of travelers throughout their history in this competition, which they won on debut in 1976.
MC Alger have only ever won only on three occasions in 32 away matches played outside Algeria through their Champions League history
Their first away win was against Kenyan club Gor Mahia in 1976, before they also overcame Al Ahli Tripoli in neighbouring Libya in 1979.
The next time they won an away match was in the group stage of the 2020/21 competition when they beat Senegalese club Teungueth FC 1-0.
Then, earlier this season, they got past Liberian part-timers 2-0, but that match was played in Algeria, just like their 2018 away win over fellow Algerians ES Setif.
This means only thrice have MCA travelled outside Algeria and came back with a win.
The clubs that have beaten the Algerian side on their travels include ASC Jeanne d'Arc (Senegal), who hammered them 5-0 in the first round of the 2000 CAF Champions League.
Zimbabwean giants Dynamos won 4-1 in Harare, while trips to Wydad Casablanca (4-0), Al Ahly (2-0), and Esperance (4-0) have also ended in misery.
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Little-known Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC of Nigeria and Difaa Hassani El Jadidi (Morocco) have also won at home against MCA.
Tuesday's victory was Pirates' third in four trips to Algeria.