With a game to spare, Rangers have emerged the 2023/24 domestic league champions!
The Enugu side are winning the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title for the first time since 2016. In all, the Flying Antelopes have now won the topflight, which have had several names, for the eighth time, only one short of record holders Enyimba.
Rangers confirmed the title after beating Bendel Insurance 2-0 in front of their jubilant fans at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The result was not enough to crown them champions but their closest rivals – Remo Stars – succumbed to Sunshine Stars 1-2 at the Akure Township Stadium, to stay at 62 points and five points behind Rangers with a Matchday to end the season.
Rangers will represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season, and will be joined by either of Remo Stars, Enyimba or Shooting Stars.
While the second placed side will be registered for the CAF Champions League, the team at No. 3 and the champions of the domestic cup competition will go for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Down the ladder, Sporting Lagos are the likely candidate to join relegated Heartland of Owerri and Gombe United to return back to the lower division. Despite beating Enyimba 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Area at Onikan, the team suffered a setback in the relegation struggle as Bayelsa United came from a goal down to defeat Shooting Stars by the same scoreline at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
With that result, Bayelsa United took three steps to leap out of the danger zone.
Doma United, who are two places from safety, play their rescheduled Matchday 36 at home against Sunshine Stars on Wednesday and also host Abia United on the last day of the season.
