Enugu Rangers etched their name in Nigerian football history by clinching the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League title with a game to spare. Their journey to the championship culminated in a commanding 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, marking the Flying Antelopes’ eighth league triumph and their first since 2016.
The title was sealed amidst high drama on match-day 37, as their closest rivals, Remo Stars and Enyimba, faltered in their respective fixtures. Remo Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sunshine Stars in Akure, while Enyimba stumbled to a late 2-1 loss against relegation-threatened Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Heading into the crucial match with a two-point lead, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s squad understood the significance of the moment. They seized control of their destiny from the kickoff against Bendel Insurance, with Kenechukwu Agu striking first in the 33rd minute to set the stage for their title-clinching victory.
Enugu Rangers were in firm control of their destiny as Chidiebere Nwobodo extended their lead in the 65th minute. However, their confirmation as champions was on the verge of being postponed to the final day as both Remo Stars and Enyimba, despite trailing by a goal each in their respective matches, managed to equalize.
A draw for either Remo or Enyimba would have kept them in contention for the title, but their hopes were dashed by two late goals.
In Akure, after Ahmed Akinyele had equalized following Chinedu Nwosu’s opener for Sunshine Stars, the 17-year-old prodigy struck again in the 80th minute, shattering Remo Stars’ aspirations and securing Sunshine’s first win over them in six matches.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Enyimba required a victory, and despite Chijioke Mbaoma’s penalty leveling the score after Godwin Odibo’s opener for the hosts, Jonathan Alukwu emerged as the hero, securing a crucial winner for Sporting Lagos, whose survival hopes also hung in the balance.
With their win over Bendel Insurance and the defeats suffered by their rivals, Ilechukwu steered Rangers to an insurmountable five-point lead with 67 points, heading into their final fixture of the season against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium the following week.
Dubbed ‘The Working One’, Ilechukwu had previously managed MFM FC, Heartland, and Plateau United before joining Rangers at the beginning of the season.
Despite missing out on the title, Remo Stars, Enyimba, and fourth-placed Shooting Stars are locked in an intense battle for the two remaining continental slots through the league.
As the focus shifts to match-day 38, Rangers will face relegated Gombe United in a mere formality before their official coronation at the Pantami Stadium.
Established in 1970, Rangers have clinched the NPFL title on seven previous occasions: 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, and 2016.
Only Enyimba, who secured a record ninth league title last season, boast more championships than the Flying Antelopes.
