Rangers Crowned NPFL Champions After Dramatic Final-Day Victory

Enugu Rangers International FC have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City FC secured the club’s ninth league title and drew them level with Enyimba’s all-time championship record.

The historic triumph came after an intense final day battle in Lagos, where Rangers held their nerve under pressure to finish the season with 68 points, one ahead of Rivers United, who also won their final fixture but failed to overtake the Flying Antelopes.

Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo emerged the hero for Rangers after scoring both goals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island to seal one of the most memorable title wins in recent NPFL history. Nwobodo opened scoring in the 30th minute with a composed finish that settled early nerves among Rangers supporters. Despite heavy pressure from Ikorodu City, the Enugu side maintained their lead heading into halftime.

The midfielder struck again shortly after the restart, scoring in the 52nd minute to put Rangers firmly in control and spark celebrations among traveling supporters. However, the tension returned six minutes later when Moses Bada reduced the deficit for Ikorodu City, setting up a nervy closing period as the hosts desperately searched for an equalizer that could have altered the title race.

Rangers eventually held on until the final whistle, sparking emotional celebrations as players, officials and fans celebrated a record-equalling ninth league crown.

The result rendered Rivers United’s convincing 3-0 victory over Katsina United ineffective in Port Harcourt, as they narrowly missed out on the title despite finishing strongly.

Both Rangers and Rivers United will now represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Elsewhere across the NPFL, defending champions Remo Stars suffered a stunning relegation after managing only a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance in Benin City. The result left them 17th on the table, making them one of the few defending champions in Nigerian football history to be relegated immediately after winning the league.

Kun Khalifat secured survival with a crucial 3-1 victory over Wikki Tourists in a match delayed by heavy rainfall in Owerri.

In Aba, Enyimba condemned El Kanemi Warriors to relegation with a dominant 3-0 victory, while Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists had already confirmed their relegation before the final round of matches.

The dramatic conclusion to the NPFL season further highlighted the competitiveness and unpredictability of Nigeria’s top-flight league.