Enugu Rangers win eighth NPFL title, beat Bendel Insurance
Enugu Rangers players celebrate a goal in style
By Eagle Eye Sorts24
Enugu Rangers have won the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League with one game to spare after beating Bendel Insurance 2-0 in their final home game of the season at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday, EAGLE EYE SPORTS24 reports.
The Flying Antelopes’ eighth league title and first since 2016 was sealed kudos to their victory over Bendel Insurance and losses of second placed Remo Stars and third placed Enyimba in other match-day 37 fixtures against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos respectively.
Remo Stars were beaten 2-1 in Akure by Sunshine Stars while a late goal by relegation threaten Sporting Lagos saw Enyimba crumbled by 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena,Lagos.
Enugu Rangers went into the match-day 37 game with a two-point lead,the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men knew what was at stake as they took control of their destiny against Insurance of Benin at the packed full Cathederal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as quickly as possible with Kenechukwu Agu opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
It was Chidiebere Nwobodo’s sublime goal that sealed victory for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ in the 65th minute but their confirmation as league winners was almost delayed to the final day as Remo Stars and Enyimba International, who had gone down by a goal each in their respective games were headed for a draw before their hosts sealed victories.
A win for Remo would have put them in contention for the title, but their chances were blown by two late goals.
This will be Rangers’ first league title since 2016 and their eighth NPFL title in total just one title behind Enyimba of Aba.
The triumph also automatically guarantees them a place in the CAF Champions League next season.
Meanwhile,Enugu Rangers will be away to relegation bound Gombe United at the Patami Stadium in Gombe on Sunday for the last game of the season which is just a formality while 2nd placed Remo Stars welcome Katsina United in Ikenne as 3rd placed Enyimba host 5th placed Plateau United in Aba.
