- Wins league title for the 7th time
By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
Rangers International Football Club has re-enacted their glorious past to emerge as the new champions of the 2023/24 campaign of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after a 2-0 win against Bendel Insurance . Their triumph was further secured by Remo Stars’ 2-1 loss to Sunshine Stars.
The trio of Remo Stars, Shooting Stars, and Enyimba, who were all in contention, lost their away games with 2-1 scorelines, enabling Enugu Rangers to achieve an unassailable lead with just one match remaining in the Nigerian league season.
Despite their historic stature in Nigerian football, this marks only their second title since the Nigerian top league attained professional status in 1990.
The Fidelis Ilechukwu-led Rangers is the only Nigerian club that has never been relegated since the national league began in 1972, last won the professional league title in 2016. In the pre-professional era, they were Nigerian champions in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, and 1982.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars, who had delayed Enugu Rangers’ coronation, lost in a western derby but retained their second position. Shooting Stars, who led 1-0 for most of their match against Bayelsa United, conceded late goals to lose 2-1, dropping them to fourth place and giving Enyimba a chance to climb.
Shooting Stars, rejuvenated midway through the season, still have a chance to secure a continental spot when they host Sporting Lagos, who recently escaped relegation, on the last match day.
However, the Flying Antelopes will face Gombe United in a dead rubber away game. Gombe United, already relegated, possibly hold the record for the worst goal difference in the Nigerian league with a deficit of 56 goals.
