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By Seyi Babalola
Enugu Rangers have been declared NPFL champions after earning an unbeatable 67 points with a 2-0 home win against Bendel Insurance, while closest rivals Remo Stars and Enyimba both lost with a round of fixtures remaining in the season.
Kenechukwu Agu put Rangers ahead after 32 minutes, and Chidiebere Nwobodo increased the home team’s advantage after 65 minutes.
Nwobodo’s goal prompted shouts of “holy holy holy Enugu Rangers is another champion” from the fans, who went on to win the game 2-0 and became champions.
The Flying Antelopes have won their eighth Nigerian league title, making them the second most successful team in league history, after only Enyimba, who have nine.
After sitting at the top of the league standings for several weeks, the Enugu side was at risk of losing the crown if they did not win against Bendel Insurance, with Remo Stars and Enyimba prowling to take advantage.
However, everything went in Rangers’ favour on Sunday, as they secured the crucial victory while their nearest competitors all lost.
This implies that their final game of the season, away to already relegated Gombe United, would be a mere formality.
Rangers won the championship and will automatically qualify to represent Nigeria in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. Remo Stars, Enyimba, and Shooting Stars will now compete for Nigeria’s second Champions League spot on the last day of competition.
