Enugu Rangers have emerged winners of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title with 67 points; for the eighth time after a 2-0 home win over Bendel Insurance.
Closest rivals Remo Stars and Enyimba both lost with a round of matches to the end of the season.
Kenechukwu Agu put Rangers in front after 32 minutes before Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled the lead on 65 minutes.
In his reaction, an elated Rangers’ Coach, Fidelis Illechukwu, said:
“We are the champions; we are the champions of 2023/2024 NFFL. It’s not easy to be a champion.”
While winning the league deserves all the celebration, this particular achievement marks a significant comeback for Rangers. Just last season, the team narrowly avoided relegation, almost ruining their historic record of never being relegated from the top flight.
The fall from grace was swift and unexpected. Forced to play in Awka, away from their Enugu traditional home due to renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, the Flying Antelopes did not enjoy home advantage during the period.
Injuries to key players, coupled with tactical inconsistencies under Coach Abdul Maikaba, saw the once-dominant Enugu side slip down the table.
Whispers of relegation, a word hardly uttered in the hallowed halls of the Rangers began to circulate amongst fans and pundits alike in the volatile abridged season.
Taking over the reins from Maikaba, a wave of optimism flowed through the Enugu side for the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, known for his meticulous planning and tactical prowess, arrived with a proven track record.
Having previously led MFM FC from obscurity to continental qualification in their first NPFL season, Ilechukwu immediately began to revive the sleeping giant.
Ilechukwu’s philosophy was simple yet effective: win every game. This unwavering focus instilled a winning mentality in the squad, replacing the self-doubt that had plagued them the previous season.
Pre-season training was gruelling, with a strong emphasis on fitness and tactical discipline. Ilechukwu meticulously analysed their opponents, exploiting weaknesses and implementing strategies to maximise his players’ strengths.
The arrival of experienced players like Uchenna Ezeala, Zulkifilu Rabiu, Odo Chidiebere, Ogbodo Emmanuel, Aniji Ifeanyichukwu Micheal and Nebo Kingsley complemented the other decent players in the fold of Rangers.
Ezeala joined the People’s Elephant from Shooting Stars, Rabiu moved to the club from Lobi Stars, while Chidiebere joined from a Saudi Arabian club.
The Enugu fans, known for their unwavering passion and loyalty, played a crucial role in Rangers’ resurgence. The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium became a fortress, with a sea of red and black scarves creating an electric atmosphere that consistently cheered the team.
The now-iconic Rangers anthem echoed through the stands, serving as a constant source of motivation for the players.
