Enugu Rangers Crowned Nine-Time NPFL Champions After Dramatic Final-Day Win Over Ikorodu City

Enugu Rangers International are the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

The result, confirmed on the final day of the season, handed Rangers a record-equalling ninth NPFL title and their second crown in three years under head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu. The club celebrated the achievement on social media, with their official account posting: “WE ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE NFPFL. HOLY! HOLY!! HOLY!!! ENUGU RANGERS IS ANOTHER CHAMPION. 9 TIMES NIGERIAN CHAMPIONS.”

Captain Chidiebere N’Obodo was the decisive figure at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. He opened the scoring with a powerful strike in the 30th minute before adding a second goal via a rebound in the 55th minute. Moses Ali reduced the deficit for Ikorodu City, but Rangers defended resolutely through additional time to secure the three points.

Heading into Matchday 38, the title race was finely poised. Rangers led the standings with 65 points from 37 matches, a single point ahead of Rivers United on 64 points. A Rangers victory in Lagos would confirm the championship regardless of other results; any dropped points, however, would have given Rivers United the opportunity to leapfrog them with a win against Katsina United in Port Harcourt. In the end, no such scenario materialised, with N’Obodo’s double rendering Rivers United’s result irrelevant.

Thousands of travelling Enugu supporters made the journey to Lagos, creating a charged atmosphere inside the stadium as they backed their side to the title. Rangers’ experience and composure under pressure ultimately proved the difference in what was described as a cauldron-like final-day setting.

This title follows Rangers’ 2024 NPFL championship — also secured under Ilechukwu — which was the club’s eighth national crown. The Enugu-based side have now matched the all-time record for NPFL titles, cementing their status as one of Nigerian football’s most decorated clubs. Ilechukwu, who has built a reputation as one of the country’s leading domestic coaches, has now delivered two league titles in successive campaigns.

Elsewhere on the final day of the 2025/2026 NPFL season, defending champions Remo Stars and former African champions Enyimba — the club associated with former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu — were reportedly facing relegation, marking a dramatic fall from grace for both sides. The contrasting fortunes on the final day underlined the volatility of the Nigerian top flight, where margins between triumph and disaster are often razor-thin.

Rangers’ title triumph will also have continental implications, with the club set to represent Nigeria in CAF club competition next season. Their consistency under Ilechukwu over the past three years positions them as a credible force in African football going forward.