Newly crowned Nigerian topflight league champions, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu landed in a private jet in the early hours of Thursday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to the thunderous applause of fans, excited air travellers and airport staff.
Rangers had won the 2023/24 Nigerian Premier League (NPFL) on the penultimate Matchday of the season when they beat Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on 16 June. They iced their victory on the last Matchday beating hosts Gombe United 2-1 at Jos International Stadium last Sunday.
The Enugu side lifted the prestigious title for the first time since 2016. In all, the Flying Antelopes had now won the topflight competition, which have had several names, for the eighth time, and are only one short of record holders Enyimba.
In the entourage of the jubilant players was the Group Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa, Dr. Ike Chioke. Afrinvest’s sponsorship of the club is credited with the Flying Antelopes’ amazing run to victory in the NPFL.
The team’s arrival with the coveted trophy, their eighth since inception, has been widely hailed as emblematic of the people’s admirable will to survive the present economic difficulties in the country.
There has been a persisting myth that the people of the region have always performed better with their backs against the wall. To many people therefore, the club’s recent victory is a timely invocation of their trademark survival instinct in an adverse environment.
The highly elated fans chanted the club’s anthem and sang praises to God at the arrival wing of the airport before heading into the city for the victory party at the iconic Michael Okpara Square.
A huge crowd of supporters also gathered at Okpara Square to receive the trophy from their darling club and thank them for defeating their rivals across the country to win the highly contested league.
At the occasion, the club’s General Manager, Mr. Amobi Ezeaku declared that Rangers were the true identity of the people of South East Nigeria.
He declared the readiness of the club to give Nigeria a strong chance in the coming CAF Champions League starting in August and expressed their gratitude to Afrinvest West Africa for sponsoring it.
Chioke recalled that the management of Afrinvest decided to take up the sponsorship of Rangers last October, they did not expect that the club would go all the way to win the league shield.
“We are excited that less than ten months after, we are gathered here to celebrate a sweet victory”, he observed, declaring the unflinching support of Afrinvest for Rangers as the club gears up to hoist Nigeria’s flag among other clubs in Africa from August this year.
Formed in 1970, Rangers have remained a symbol of resilience, never-say-die spirit and the rippling ambition of South East Nigeria all through its history.
