Rangers win NPFL
By : Christian Okpara
Date: 25 May 2026 5:00am WAT
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Enugu Rangers were crowned champions of the Nigerian Premier Football League after their 2-1 defeat of Ikorodu City in Lagos yesterday.
Enugu Rangers, yesterday, survived Ikorodu City’s late surge to beat the Lagos-based team 2-1, a result that was good enough to make them the 2025/26 Nigerian Premier Football League champions.
Rangers needed the win to pick the crown, irrespective of what their closest rivals, Rivers United, played against Katsina United in Port Harcourt. And the Flying Antelopes seemed to be cruising to the title when they raced to a 2-0 lead midway through the game.
With only one goal separating them and Rivers United going into the final games of the season, Skipper Obinna Nwobodo sent the Flying Antelopes’ fans dancing with a clinical finish in the 17th minute.
Thereafter, the Enugu boys took control of the game in search of more goals, but they met a resilient Ikorodu City defence, which rebuffed all the visitors threw at them. The first half ended with the Rangers 1- 0 advantage.
The second half was barely 10 minutes when Rangers scored the second off a long-range effort by Nwobodo, which was spilt onto the path of the onrushing Flying Antelope attacker to make hay.
Just when fans thought the game was sealed, Ikorodu City raised the adrenaline of the visiting supporters with a goal out of nowhere. It was an innocuous floater from the ring wing, which Rangers’ goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh unexplicably dropped on the leg of an onrushing Ikorodu City striker; the score was 2-1.
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Awakened by their good fortune, Ikorodu City took the fight to Rangers, but they could not get the goal they needed to keep their chase for the CAF Confederation Cup alive.
Rangers ended the season on 68 points to Rivers United’s 67.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United defeated Katsina United 3-0 to finish with a CAF Champions League ticket, while Shooting Stars, which lost 0-1 to Niger Tornadoes, retained their CAF Confederation Cup ticket.
Enyimba of Aba escaped relegation with a 3-0 defeat of El Kanemi Warriors in Aba, just as Remo Stars survived with a 1-1 draw in Benin with Bendel Insurance.
At the end of the day, El Kanemi, Kun Khalifat, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists were relegated to the lower Nigerian National League.
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The curtain will fall on the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season on Sunday with a dramatic title race set to go down to the final day, as Rangers International F.C. and Rivers United F.C. battle for the league crown.
For Rangers, the stakes could hardly be higher. The Flying Antelopes are on the verge of history, needing just one final push to secure a ninth NPFL title — a feat that would see the Enugu club draw level with Enyimba FC as the most successful side in Nigerian top-flight history.
Standing in their way, however, is an ambitious Ikorodu City F.C. side with continental ambitions of their own.
Rangers travel to Lagos to face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, knowing that victory will guarantee them the league title regardless of results elsewhere. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side currently lead the standings with 65 points, just one ahead of second-placed Rivers United on 64.
Any slip-up from Rangers could open the door for Rivers United, who host Katsina United F.C. in Port Harcourt. A win for Rivers combined with a Rangers draw or defeat would hand the title to Finidi George’s men.
While both title contenders remain firmly in contention, Rangers arguably face the more difficult assignment.
Away victories are notoriously difficult to secure in the NPFL, and Ikorodu City have proven particularly formidable at home this season. The Lagos-based club, currently fourth on the table with 58 points, are also chasing a continental ticket and could still qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
That added motivation is expected to make Sunday’s encounter even more fiercely contested. Still, Rangers have consistently shown resilience throughout the campaign. The Enugu side have built a reputation for grinding out crucial results under pressure and head into the decisive fixture unbeaten in their last five league matches.
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Notably, Rangers boast one of the best away records in the division, with five away wins this season — second only to Rivers United, who have managed six.
For Rivers United, the equation is straightforward: win and hope Rangers falter in Lagos.
Although Katsina United are capable of causing problems, Rivers will fancy their chances at home as they attempt to capitalise on any stumble from the league leaders.
Sunday’s clash in Lagos is widely expected to be the headline fixture of the final matchday, not only because of the title implications but also due to the recent history between both sides.
Rangers hold a perfect record against Ikorodu City in the NPFL, winning all three previous meetings between the clubs.
Form, too, slightly favours the Flying Antelopes. While Rangers are unbeaten in their last three games, Ikorodu City have managed one win and two defeats in the same period, although both losses came away from home.
There are no major injury concerns for either side, but both clubs will be without key players due to national team commitments.
Rangers defenders Chibueze Oputa and Obinna Igboke recently received call-ups from Éric Chelle for the Unity Cup in London. Ikorodu City trio Michael Atata, Aderemi Adeoye and Tosin Oyedokun were also invited.
Another intriguing subplot will be the race for the league’s Golden Boot. Rangers striker Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City forward Joseph Arumala are currently joint-top scorers in the NPFL with 11 goals each, setting the stage for a potentially decisive showdown between two of the league’s most prolific attackers.
With the title race, continental qualification battle and Golden Boot contest all still unresolved, Sunday promises a thrilling conclusion to what has been one of the most competitive NPFL seasons in recent years.
Match Details
Fixture: Ikorodu City F.C. vs Rangers International F.C.
Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Kick-off Time: 4:00 pm
Broadcast: NPFL TV App
The post Ikorodu City Stand Between Enugu Rangers And Historic NPFL Title appeared first on Channels Television.