Sports
Enugu Rangers Beat Ikorodu City To Clinch Historic 9th NPFL Title
Rangers International F.C. have etched their name deeper into Nigerian football history after defeating Ikorodu City F.C. 2-1 on Sunday to win the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
The victory at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena secured Rangers’ ninth league crown, drawing them level with Enyimba F.C. as the most successful clubs in NPFL history.
The encounter, widely regarded as the standout fixture of the final matchday, lived up to expectations as both sides approached the contest with everything at stake.
Rangers arrived in Lagos knowing that only victory would guarantee them the title, with second-placed Rivers United F.C. waiting to capitalise on any slip from the league leaders.
Ikorodu City, meanwhile, also had plenty to fight for, as a win would significantly boost their hopes of securing continental football next season.
The Flying Antelopes began brightly and eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute through captain Chidiebere Nwobodo, who finished calmly to hand the visitors a deserved lead.
Rangers maintained control for large spells of the opening half and carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
The Enugu side resumed the second half with renewed attacking intent, repeatedly testing the Ikorodu City defence in search of a second goal.
Their pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Nwobodo struck again, completing his brace and sending Rangers supporters into wild celebrations.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately.
Ikorodu City pulled one back three minutes later through Moses Ali, setting up a nervy finish and raising the intensity inside the stadium.
The goal ensured a tense final stretch for Rangers, who knew that anything short of victory could hand the title to Rivers United, who were already cruising to a comfortable win over Katsina United F.C. in Port Harcourt.
Despite mounting pressure from the hosts, Rangers held firm to preserve their 2-1 lead until the final whistle, sparking jubilant scenes among players and fans, who broke into chants of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers is another champion”.
The victory capped one of the most dramatic final-day title races in recent NPFL history, with Rangers ultimately finishing ahead of Rivers United, who defeated Katsina United 3-0 but fell just short in the championship race.
Both Rangers and Rivers United will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars S.C. secured a CAF Confederation Cup spot after finishing third.
At the other end of the table, there was a major shock as defending champions Remo Stars F.C. suffered relegation after ending the campaign in 17th position.
Elkanami Warriors, Bayelsa United F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. were the other teams relegated, finishing 18th, 19th and 20th respectively.
Rangers’ triumph marks another landmark achievement for the Coal City club and further cements their place among Nigeria’s football elite.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by taking the lead in the 16th minute through E. Kari, who converted a pass from R. Ponti.
Nigeria responded before half-time, with debutant George Ilenikhena restoring parity after combining with Alex Iwobi to finish off the move.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the second half when another debutant, Moses Usor, scored to put Eric Chelle’s side 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria held on to secure all three points and make a winning start to their Group L campaign.
The result is particularly significant because Tanzania, one of the group’s co-hosts, already has an automatic place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualification ticket from the group.
The Super Eagles will next travel to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday for their second Group L fixture, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.
Nigeria were without Victor Osimhen for the match after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury.
Team FCT have emerged winners of the Abuja Zone of the ongoing 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition.
The FCT side finished top of the zonal standings with 10 points to secure the first position, while Plateau State came second with 7 points.
Other teams that participated in the Abuja Zone competition were representatives from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Speaking after FCT emerged champions of the zone, 16-year-old Victor Onyebuchi, an emerging star and a student of GSTC Garki, praised the organisers for providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Onyebuchi said he had hoped and prayed that FCT would emerge winners of the group, expressing delight that his wish had been fulfilled.
He, however, stressed that the team must work harder ahead of the national final, where they will aim to compete for the overall title.
“I am very happy that FCT emerged winners of the group. I prayed for this and my wish has come true. Now, we have to work harder for the national final and hopefully emerge champions,”
Onyebuchi said.
The promising midfielder also revealed that the competition represents an important platform in his ambition to become a professional footballer.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer in Nigeria and later play for the national team. I believe this tournament can give me the opportunity to achieve that dream.”
The Abuja Zone was one of the zonal centres for the 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition, designed to provide young players with a platform to develop and showcase their football abilities.
Former Super Eagles captain and Al-Ahli star, William Troost-Ekong, has converted to Islam.
Troost-Ekong was said to have recited the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar, where he plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli, as reported by a Qatari press, “Al-Arab” on Wednesday.
A respected Islamic cleric, Dr Muhammad Salah, also shared a video on his verified Facebook account wherein the defender recited the testimonies.
The 33-year-old defender first moved to the Arab region in the summer of 2024, when he signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej.
He joined Qatari side, Al-Ahli in January 2026 on a one-and-a-half-year contract and has since played 14 matches across all competitions, including a single appearance in the current season.
On the international stage, Ekong won 83 caps for Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, scoring 8 goals.
He reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named best player of that edition.
Troost-Ekong also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the country’s most experienced defenders of the past decade.
He enjoyed a distinguished international career with Super Eagles, making more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles.
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