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.

The post Enugu Rangers Crowned 2024 NPFL Champions appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

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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Seven-time Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL champions, Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu have been fined a total sum of five million naira (₦5, 000, 000.00) following disruption that occurred during the matchday 35 encounter against Enyimba FC in Enugu.

The match which held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was abandoned on the dot of 95 minute after a penalty was awarded to Rangers. Enyimba FC players, infuriated by the decision, walked out of the pitch.

The 25, 000 Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was filled to capacity with fans also standing along the track area.

Following a review of the incidence by the league organisers, Rangers have been found culpable for inability to adhere strictly to the rules governing the game.

The 2016 champions and current leaders if the league were fined for overticketing, insufficient security, lack of crowd control measures and failure to block individuals from gaining access to restricted areas.

Subsequently, Rangers was fined ₦2 000 000 for overticketing and a one million naira each fir the other three offences.

Below is the findings and decisions of the NPFL management:

SUMMARY JURISDICTION NOTICE To: Rangers Int’l FC NPFL

Date: 10″ June 2024

Upon review of the findings of the official reports for the Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on 9″ June 2024, the Nigeria Premier Football League states its findings as follows:

1. You are in breach of Rule B15.24 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you over-ticketed which led to the overcrowding at the Stadium.
2. You are in breach of Rule B13.5S2 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, 1n the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to provide adequate and effective security.
3. You are in breach of Rule B13.52.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to implement adequate and effective crowd control measures
4. You are in breach of Rule B13.52 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas.

Consequently, the NPFL hereby impose on you the following sanctions: 1. A fine of Two Million Naira only (N2,000,000) for over-ticketing.

2. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failing to provide adequate security.
3. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failure to implement effective crowd control measures.
4. A fine of One Millon Narra only (N1,000,000) for failure to prevent unauthorized persons from gainingaccess to restricted areas.
5. An order to implement a more effective crowd control mechanism in subsequent home games

In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either:

1) submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or 2) elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.

Any such election must be in writing addressed to the undersigned at the office of the NPFL. Should you submit to the summary jurisdiction and the prescribed sanctions, kindly note that the fines therein are to be paid within 7 working days.

Note that in accordance with Rule E1, where an appeal or election to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel fails or is found to have been frivolous, such party may be liable to such additional sanction(s) as may be deemed fit in the circumstances.

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