Chibueze Oputa Breaks Silence on Missing Rangers’ Record-Equalling Ninth NPFL Title Win

Enugu Rangers clinched a record-equalling ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title on Sunday, May 24, 2026, defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in a dramatic final-day fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos. The result, secured under head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, confirmed Rangers as champions of Nigeria for the ninth time in the club’s history.

Absent from the celebrations was right-back Chibueze Oputa, one of Rangers’ standout performers throughout the season. The defender had been called into the Super Eagles squad ahead of the Unity Cup in the United Kingdom, placing him thousands of miles away as his teammates lifted the trophy in Lagos.

Speaking exclusively to Pulse Sports Nigeria, Oputa reflected on the bittersweet experience of watching the title-clinching moment unfold from abroad. “I’m so happy we became Nigerian champions. I wish I was there to play the final game with the team, but God is good. We never stopped praying and believing. Even from London on Unity Cup duty with Nigeria, my heart was with the boys. I’ll keep giving my best to represent both Rangers and Nigeria proudly,” the right-back said.

Oputa’s absence from the final was a direct consequence of the form that had made him one of the most consistent full-backs in the domestic league this season. His capacity to contain attacking wingers while contributing offensively — through forward runs and accurate delivery from wide areas — drew the attention of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who drafted him into the national team setup.

The defender joins fellow Rangers teammate Obinna Igboke in what is a youth-oriented Super Eagles squad assembled for the Unity Cup campaign in London. Nigeria’s first fixture of the tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, against Zimbabwe at The Valley stadium.

Rangers’ title triumph was built on a tense final-day scenario at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, where they overcame an Ikorodu City side that had been unbeaten heading into the fixture. The 2-1 victory secured the NPFL crown and matched the club’s all-time record of nine league titles, prompting widespread celebrations across Enugu and Lagos.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reported that Oputa had been widely regarded as integral to Rangers’ title challenge, with his performances earning him his first senior international call-up. His selection for the Super Eagles squad — while a personal milestone — meant he was unavailable for the club’s most significant match of the season.

With the NPFL title secured, attention now shifts to Oputa’s role on the international stage. Nigeria’s Unity Cup campaign represents an early opportunity for the defender to consolidate his place in the national team setup, with Chelle having assembled a squad that places considerable emphasis on younger, domestically-based players. How Oputa performs in London could determine the extent of his involvement in future Super Eagles squads as the team looks ahead to upcoming continental qualifiers.