Enugu Rangers have won the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League with one game to spare, defeating Bendel Insurance 2-0 in their final home game of the season on Sunday at Enugu’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The Flying Antelopes’ eighth league title, and first since 2016, was secured by the defeats of arch rivals Remo Stars and Enyimba in other match-day 37 matchups against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos. Sunshine Stars defeated Remo Stars 2-1 in Akure, and Enyimba lost 2-1 to relegation-threatened Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena thanks to a late goal.
Going in, Fidelis Ilechukwu, the head coach’s team, took control of their fate as soon as possible, with Kenechukwu Agu scoring in the 33rd minute. Chidiebere Nwobodo increased their lead in the 65th minute, but their victory was almost pushed to the final day when Remo and Enyimba, both behind by a goal in their respective games, equalised.
A draw for either Remo or Enyimba would have put them in contention for the title, but their prospects were thwarted by two late goals.
In Akure, after Ahmed Akinyele cancelled out Chinedu Nwosu’s opening for Sunshine, the 17-year-old returned in the 80th minute to dash the Ikenne side’s hopes and give Sunshine their first win over them in six encounters.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Enyimba needed all three points, and despite Chijioke Mbaoma’s penalty kick cancelling out Godwin Odibo’s opener for the hosts, Jonathan Alukwu was the hero, scoring a much-needed victory for Sporting, leaving their survival hopes in jeopardy.
Ilechukwu led Rangers to an unassailable five-point lead with 67 points heading into their final game of the season against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium.
Despite missing out on the title, Remo Stars, Enyimba, and fourth-place Shooting Stars are still vying for the league’s two remaining continental spots. Rangers will face demoted Gombe United in a match before their coronation at the Pantami Stadium.
Rangers, founded in 1970, have won the NPFL title seven times: in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, and 2016. Only Enyimba, who won the league for the seventh time last season, has more championships than the Flying Antelopes.
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