Defending Champions Remo Stars Enter Relegation As Enugu Rangers Win Record 9th Nigeria Premier League Title Beating Ikorodu City 2-1
Enugu Rangers made history when they beat hosts Ikorodu City 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, drawing them level with Enyimba F.C. as the most successful clubs in NPFL history.
At the other end of the table, there was a major shock as defending champions Remo Stars F.C. suffered relegation after ending the campaign in 17th position.
Warri Wolves F.C., Bayelsa United F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. were the other teams relegated, finishing 18th, 19th and 20th respectively.
For Rangers, Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scored in either half for ‘The Flying Antelopes’ be crowned champions ahead of closest rivals Rivers United.
Substitute Moses Ali scored a consolation goal for the home team in the 58th minute after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh failed to hold on to a shot from distance.
Rangers topped the standings with 68 points from 38 matches, a point more than Rivers United, who beat Katsina United 3-0 in their final game of the campaign.
It will be coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s second league championship with the Enugu club.
Rangers will now represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League along with runners-up Rivers.
The Flying Antelopes began brightly and eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute through captain Chidiebere Nwobodo, who finished calmly to hand the visitors a deserved lead.
Rangers maintained control for large spells of the opening half and carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
The Enugu side resumed the second half with renewed attacking intent, repeatedly testing the Ikorodu City defence in search of a second goal.
Their pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Nwobodo struck again, completing his brace and sending Rangers supporters into wild celebrations.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately.
Ikorodu City pulled one back three minutes later through Moses Ali, setting up a nervy finish and raising the intensity inside the stadium.
The goal ensured a tense final stretch for Rangers, who knew that anything short of victory could hand the title to Rivers United, who were already cruising to a comfortable win over Katsina United F.C. in Port Harcourt.
Despite mounting pressure from the hosts, Rangers held firm to preserve their 2-1 lead until the final whistle, sparking jubilant scenes among players and fans, who broke into chants of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers is another champion”.
The victory capped one of the most dramatic final-day title races in recent NPFL history, with Rangers ultimately finishing ahead of Rivers United, who defeated Katsina United 3-0 but fell just short in the championship race.
Both Rangers and Rivers United will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars S.C. secured a CAF Confederation Cup spot after finishing third.
