Rangers International crowned NPFL champions
Rangers International of Enugu on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the New Jos Stadium, Jos, defeated Gombe United 2-1 in the last league encounter of the season to amass a total of seventy points in the 2023/2024 NPFL season and crowned champions before an appreciative crowd that had the Governors of Enugu and Plateau states.
Two early goals in third and seventh minutes of the highly entertaining encounter from Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje gave the champions early lead in the match while the host, reduced the tally after 25 minutes of play through Sa’ad Abubakar.
The second half saw the two teams entertaining the fans which included the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, his Plateau state counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang, and business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze
The Flying Antelopes were later hosted to a grand dinner party by the G.M.D of Afrinvest West Africa, Prince Ike Chioke, which had three Enugu state commissioners present, players, coaches, backroom staff, and management staff were treated to sumptuous meals.
With the victory and trophy presentation, Rangers have extended their league triumphs to eight and will represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season with the target of getting as far as the final match.
Speaking after the match, an elated coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said, “This is a great day for all of us in Rangers and we give God the glory. This is a victory for the government and people of Enugu state who supported us through thick and thin till we got to where we are today as champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League. We hope to get a few players to fortify this team to enable us effectively challenge for both domestic and continental honors next season.
For their efforts in the the league, Rangers took home a giant trophy and a cheque for the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only.
