The 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season concluded with Enugu Rangers emerging as champions after securing a 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance in their final home match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, as reported by NewsNow.
This victory marked the Flying Antelopes’ eighth league title and their first since 2016. Their path to glory was paved by the defeats of their closest competitors, Remo Stars and Enyimba, in the match-day 37 fixtures against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos respectively.
Remo Stars suffered a 2-1 loss to Sunshine Stars in Akure, while Enyimba fell to a similar fate with a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Heading into the crucial match-day 37 encounter with a two-point lead, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s squad took charge of their destiny early on against Insurance, with Kenechukwu Agu opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Chidiebere Nwobodo extended their lead in the 65th minute, and although Remo and Enyimba managed to equalize in their respective games, Rangers’ triumph was secured by late goals that dashed the hopes of their rivals.
A draw for either Remo or Enyimba would have kept them in title contention, but their aspirations were shattered by late setbacks.
In Akure, after Ahmed Akinyele canceled out Chinedu Nwosu’s opener for Sunshine, the 17-year-old found the net once more in the 80th minute, sealing Sunshine’s first victory over Remo Stars in six encounters.
Meanwhile, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Enyimba required a win, 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 win for Sporting and keeping their survival hopes alive.
With the win over Bendel Insurance and their rivals’ losses, Ilechukwu steered Rangers to an unassailable five-point lead with 67 points, heading into their final game against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium the following week.
Nicknamed ‘The Working One,’ Ilechukwu previously coached MFM FC, Heartland, and Plateau United before joining Rangers at the beginning of the season.
Although missing out on the title, Remo Stars, Enyimba, and Shooting Stars in fourth place are still vying for the remaining two continental slots through the league.
As the battle intensifies for those spots on match-day 38, Rangers will face relegated Gombe United in a ceremonial match at the Pantami Stadium before their official crowning.
Established in 1970, Rangers have previously claimed the NPFL title seven times in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, and 2016.
Enyimba, with a record ninth league title last season, hold the most championships in the NPFL, surpassing the achievements of the Flying Antelopes.