Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, defending Champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu’s quest to pick a continental ticket suffered a major set back on Thursday as they lost, yet again, at home.

The eight-time champions lost 0-1 at home against Plateau United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Suleiman Mojereola scored the only goal of the match for the visitors on the dot of 73rd after Rangers defence were cut off guard

Prior, the visitors had dominated the first half but the restart saw Rangers inject new players that almost got the curtain raiser but for Plateau United goalkeeper’s heroics which kept them at bare.

The introduction of former Super Eagles player, Uchebo by Rangers added no vive as Rangers were condemned to their fourth home defeat of the season.

Rangers had lost 3-4 to Kano Pillars, 0-1 to Shooting Stars and 1-2 to Niger Tornados. Thursday’s defeat leaves the champion’s continental ticket push in tatters as they are five points below 3rd placed Abia Warriors and 15 points behind leaders, Remo Stars.

On the other hand, today’s victory is a huge boost for Plateau United as they continue their quest to avoid relegation. The Jos based side are now 11th on the log..

In other results, Remo Stars continued their quest for their first league title in superb form as they set aside former Champions, Enyimba FC 2-0 in Ikenne. Two goals in either half gave them the three points as they now have 60 points from 31 matches, 8 points above second placed Rivers United.

Akwa United continued their new form, winnng two consecutive matches as they intensify their push to escape relegation. They defeated Niger Tornados 2-0 while El Kanemi Warriors rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 against visiting Shooting Stars.

NPFL Matchday 31 results:

Rangers 0-1 Plateau United
Remo Stars 2-0 Enyimba
El Kanemi Warriors 2-2 Shooting Stars
Akwa United 2-0 Niger Tornados
Abia Warriors 2-0 Lobi Stars
Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
Kano Pillars 0-0 Bendel Insurance
Kwara United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Sunshine Stars 0-0 Heartland
Ikorodu City vs Katsina United, Postponed.

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Enugu – The Technical Adviser of reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C and Super Eagles of Nigeria’ assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has sounded it clear that his team would end the season on a positive note despite his team’s 1-2 loss to visiting Niger Tornadoes F.C in a match day 20, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture on Saturday, January 25, 2025 in Enugu.

In his post-match chat, coach Ilechukwu described the loss as unexpected and disappointing to him and the club’s numerous fans but expressed optimistism that the team will be celebrated at the end of the season.

“I told my players before the start of the game that it was going to be a very difficult game which it turned out to be. We created a lot of chances but could not utilize them but one, while our opponent got two chances and made use of them. Despite this loss, I call upon our supporters to stand beside this team that is the best team in the league as I assure all that at the end of the season, we shall be congratulated.”

Coach Ilechukwu had a full complement of his team with the return of the trio of Effimi Nsi, Isaac Saviour and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi from the Super Eagles B squad for the start of the second stanza of the league and the match day squad led in attack by the duo of Godwin Obaje and Frank Uwumiro showed enough dominance in the early stages of the match but missed a lot of goal scoring opportunities before falling behind to an Ismail Sarki’s 17th minute goal against the run of play.

To their credit, the home side were level on 19 minutes when Ifeanyi Onyebuchi nodded home an Isaac Saviour’s fiercely struck shot after a quick corner-kick was taken with Evans Ogbonda involved.

It was a catalogue of misses for the home side before the end of the first half as all that were thrown at the backline of the ‘Ikon Allah’ boys were contained just as Joshua Enaholo showed brilliance between the sticks.

When both teams returned for the second stanza, the tide was still in favor of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ but putting the ball in the back of the net was an issue on the day with Frank Uwumiro missing a sitter on 47 minutes while substitute, Kingsley Maduforo blazed his effort wide with only the goalkeeper at his mercy at the hour mark just as Isaac Saviour’ goal-bound stinging shot was pushed out by Enaholo on 62 minutes and on 65 minutes, Rangers’ defence was breached a second time as Ifeanyi Okechukwu let fly a shot from the edge of the box that goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi had no answer.

With few minutes to the end of the encounter, Effimi Nsi was tripped inside the box as he was through on goal and the referee wasted no time in making the call but substitute, Okorie Chiedozie failed to score from the spot as his kick greased the cross bar and went out of target as the league defending champions, surrendered all three points at stake on home soil for the third time in the ongoing season.

Rangers will next travel to Maiduguri, Borno state to trade tackles with El-Kanemi Warriors in a match day 21 fixture on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

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Reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C, under the tutelage of coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, is fully set to kickoff it’s title defense as the 2024/2025 NPFL season rolls off with the visit of President Federation Cup champions, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C of Maiduguri who recently crashed out of the second tie, TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/2025.

The opening day fixture which will happen inside ‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, takes place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, will be a replica of the title winning match for the Enugu side in the 2015/2016 season where the ‘Antelopes’ flew over the ‘Warriors’ by four un-replied goals in a packed stadium on October 2, 2016.

Having secured the services of some quality legs and hands to take the places of those that departed from the trophy-winning squad, coach Ilechukwu and his trusted lieutenants will be looking to ensure that the new season starts on a flying note even when a stiff resistance is expected from the Maiduguri side that recently gained promotion from the NNL and won the oldest club competition to pick a ticket to represent the country on the continent.

The arrival of such players as, Tekena Garando, Ekeson Okorie, Evans Ogbonda, Hillary Ekawu, Ernest Governor, Okafor Onyekachi, Bashir Usman, Lucky Abdullahi, Chikeluba Ofoedu, Effimi Nsi, Igwilo Chimobi, Williams Wonah, Oforkansi Michael, Ogbonna Anayor, Daniel Onyia, and a host of others to join forces with the reliable, Opubo Japhet, Ugwueze Chinemerem, Opara Austin, Onyebuchi Ifeanyi, Isaac Saviour, Ugochukwu Ejike, Agu Kenechukwu, Kenneth Igboke, Kazeem Ogunleye, Chiedozie Okorie, Stephen Ikenna, Odoh Joel, and many more, fans of Rangers are assured of a quality display when the encounter happens on Saturday.

Captain of the Coal City side, Ugwueze Chinemerem, in a chat, said that the team was prepared to kick start the new season on a high with the visit of their opponent from Maiduguri, stressing, “I expect a very tough customer in the form of El-Kanemi but with what we have been doing since our qualification for the second preliminary round of CAF Champions League, I see determination, passion and motivation to get a good result and set us on the right track for a successful title defense. We won the title with a young team and this season; we are campaigning with a much younger team that is highly motivated to repeat the feat of last season. Like I said earlier, it would be a tough encounter due largely to the fact that our opponent was recently eliminated from the continent and would come out to ruffle us but we are prepared for them and by God’s grace we shall celebrate at the end of the encounter.”

Shot-stopper and one of the deputy-captains of the squad, Opubo Japhet, who had two assists and twelve clean sheets last season, is optimistic of starting their title defense on a bright note against the ‘Invading Warriors’ from Maiduguri, stressing, “I will say a big thanks to God for the success of last season and for the start of the new season against El-Kanemi Warriors, I am very optimistic going into the match with the caliber of players in our squad. Surely, there are no more underdogs in the game of football hence we expect an open game but we are going for the maximum points at stake.”

The visitors under coach Aliu Zubairu are already in the Coal City as they arrived on Thursday and will have a feel of the playing turf of the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium on Friday for the only match day 1 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League 2024/2025 with the others taking place between 6-7, September, 2024.

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By Amaechi Agbo, Enugu

Rangers International FC of Enugu was on Sunday crowned champions of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.

The “Flying Antelopes” were handed their diadem in Jos after they beat Gombe United 2-1 in the final matchday 38 of the league watched by their state governor, Peter Ndubisi Mbah.

The triumph ensured that the Enugu based side won the league after accumulating 70 points from the available 114 points.

This is Rangers 8th trophy of the league which brings them at par with Enyimba FC who have also won the league a record 8 times. Both Rangers and Enyimba are the most successful teams in the country.

In the match at Jos, two early goals in 3rd and 7th minutes of the highly entertaining encounter off the boots of Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje handed Rangers the driving seat but the host reduced the tally in 25 minutes off the boot of Sa’ad Abubakar while efforts to get more goals by either side proved abortive till the end of the first half of the encounter.

The second half was end-to-end stuff as the fans were at the edge of their seats as opportunities came and went with the short stoppers of the contending sides showcasing their stuff between the sticks.

Enugu state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, his Plateau state counterpart, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, and business mogul, Prince (Engr) Arthur Eze were on the ground to witness the scintillating encounter and was involved in the medal and trophy presentation to the league winners, Rangers International F.C.

The Coal City side was later hosted to a grand dinner party by the G.M.D of Afrinvest West Africa, Prince Ike Chioke, which had three Enugu state commissioners present, players, coaches, backroom staff, and management staff were treated to sumptuous meals.

With the victory and trophy presentation, Rangers have extended their league triumphs to eight and will represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season with the target of getting as far as the final match.

This is a great day for all of us – Ilechukwu

Elated Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu said it was a great feeling for the team and dedicated the triumph to God and the good people of Enugu State for their massive support to the team.

“This is a great day for all of us in Rangers and we give God the glory. This is a victory for the government and people of Enugu state who supported us through thick and thin till we got to where we are today as champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“We hope to get a few legs to add to this team to challenge for both domestic and continental honors next season effectively,” Mr Ilechukwu said

For their efforts in the the league, Rangers took home a giant trophy and a cheque for the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only which is the winning prize for the league.

Sporting Lagos, Doma United Relegated

Two clubs, Sporting Lagos and Doma United joined Heartland FC and Gombe United as the seek new lives in the second division league, the Nigeria National League (NNL)

Sporting Lagos marred by managerial crisis could not replicate their pre-league performance on the league as they went down just a year after they were promoted to the league.

Formed in 2021, the club gained promotion in 2023 but could not hold their way.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars will join Rangers in the CAF Champions League (their second return to the continent’s elite league) while Enyimba FC picked one if the tickets to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup. The winner of the 2024 Federation Cup Final between Abịa Warriors and El Kanemi Warriors will pick the second ticket.

Enugu State Governor Host Rangers

The Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah on Monday hosted the players, coaches and management of the 2024 NPFL Champions, Rangers Int’l FC in Enugu.

In an elaborate event held at the Ọkpara Square, prominent individuals including I politicians, captains of industries graced the event.

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By Amaechi Agbo, Enugu.

Rangers International FC of Enugu have won the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.

The Flyings Antelopes won the coveted trophy on Sunday after they defeated visiting Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

The match was watched by the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah

Rangers, prior to the game, needed a win and a draw I. Their last two matches to take home the trophy for the second time in eight years but following results from other matchday 37 centres which went in their favour, they have been crowned champions with a game to round off the league.

Rangers top the league table with 67 points from 37 matches while their closest rival, Remo Stars have 62 points from same number of games.

Augustine Agụ Kenechukwu scored the opener against Insurance on the 33rd minute before Chidiebere Nwobodo’s 65 minute strike sealed the victory for Rangers.

The league triumph has put Rangers on equal level with Enyimba with eight league trophies as the most successful clubs in the country

By the virtue of their victory, Rangers will represent the NPFL at the 2025 CAF Champions League.

Rangers last played continental match in 2020.

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