Rangers International Football Club of Enugu clinched the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League title with a decisive 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance in Enugu on Sunday.
Rangers secured the championship with one match remaining.
This triumph propelled Rangers to an unassailable 67 points, outpacing their closest competitors, Remo Stars and Enyimba, who both suffered defeats—Remo Stars falling 2-1 to Sunshine Stars, and Enyimba losing by the same margin to Sporting Lagos.
With this latest success, the Flying Antelopes have now won their eighth Nigerian league title, making them the second most successful club in the league’s history, trailing only Enyimba’s nine titles.
Despite leading the league table for much of the season, Rangers faced a must-win situation against Bendel Insurance to stave off the challenges from Remo Stars and Enyimba.
Everything aligned for Rangers on the crucial Sunday as they not only secured victory but also benefited from the losses of their closest rivals.
Rangers broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with Kenechukwu Agu converting a perfectly placed free-kick, igniting celebrations among the packed crowd at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, also known as the Cathedral.
The team continued to press and their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Chidiebere Nwobodo scored the second goal, easing the tension in the stadium.
Nwobodo’s goal sparked jubilant chants of “holy, holy, holy, Enugu Rangers is another champion” from the fans, as Rangers held on to their 2-0 lead to clinch the title.
With 67 points, Rangers’ final league game against Gombe United is now merely a formality, as no team can surpass them.
In addition to winning the title, Rangers have secured a spot in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.
The battle for Nigeria’s second Champions League slot will now be contested by Remo Stars, Enyimba, and Shooting Stars on the final day of the season.
