By Francis Ajuonuma
A brace by Chidiebere Nwobodo ensured that Rangers International of Enugu beat Ikorodu United 2-1 on Sunday 24th of May in Match Day 38 of the season to become the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Champions for 2025/26.
Their closest rival, Rivers United, finished the season second after defeating Katsina United 3-0 to garner 67 points, one point less than Rangers’ 68 points
Playing at the popular Onikan water front, now Mobolaji Johnson Arena ( Onikan ) Stadium, both teams started the game very well, but a more purposeful Rangers drew the first blood after 30 minutes of play through Chidiebere Nwobodo.
The goal seems to have fired up the home side as they bombard Rangers half severally in efforts to equalise but proved abortive, as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Coal City Side.
On the resumption of the second half, Rangers also took the game to their opponents area which resulted in Chidiebere Nwobodo, scoring his second goal in the 52nd minutes.
Immediately after this goal, Ikorodu fought back gallantly which led to their only goal through Moses Bada in the 58th minutes.
The game now became a ding dong affair with both sides trying to score more goals which was not to be as ending the game ended 2-1 in favour of Rangers and threw the traveling fans into wild celebration.
With this victory , Rangers now have nine league titles, moving level with Enyimba International as the joint-most successful club in NPFL history.
For their performance, both Rangers and Rivers United will now represent Nigeria at next year’s CAF Champions League.
