Enugu Rangers win historic 9th NPFL title; El-Kanemi, Remo Stars relegated

Enugu Rangers’ captain, Nwobodo Chidiebere, delivered an impressive performance on Sunday, scoring a decisive brace to hand the “Flying Antelopes” their ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. Rangers emerged 2026 champions after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City on the final day of the season to equal the all-time record of nine NPFL […]

Enugu Rangers’ captain, Nwobodo Chidiebere, delivered an impressive performance on Sunday, scoring a decisive brace to hand the “Flying Antelopes” their ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.

Rangers emerged 2026 champions after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City on the final day of the season to equal the all-time record of nine NPFL titles held by former African champions Enyimba.

The latest triumph adds to previous league successes recorded in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016, and 24.

The “Flying Antelopes” finished the campaign top of the table with 68 points, edging Rivers United by a single point even as the “Pride of Rivers” defeated Katsina United 3-0 in their own Matchday 38 fixture.

Both Rangers and Rivers United had won their week 37 matches to ensure the chase for the 2026 NPFL title went down the wire.

Consequently, the duo had picked the two CAF Champions League tickets even before the final round of matches.

Although the defending champions Remo Stars drew 1-1 with Bendel Insurance in Benin City, the result was not enough to save them from relegation after Kun Khalifat stunned Wikki Tourists 3-1 in the rain delayed week 38 fixture in Bauchi to not only escape relegation but alter the final table standings.

In other matches, 3SC lost 0-1 at Niger Tornadoes but finished the season in third position to clinch one of the Confederation Cup tickets with 60 points.

Both Kwara United and Kano Pillars fell on the road in Yenagoa and Jos but managed to keep their positions in the NPFL.

While already relegated Bayelsa United smashed Kwara United 4-0, Plateau United laboured to a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars in Jos.

Warri Wolves, Barau United, Enyimba also ended the season with home victories.

In Kano, Barau FC edged Nasarawa United 3-0. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 43rd minute before Sunday Anthony and Adamu Hussain scored a goal each in the second half to complete the rout of the “Solid Miners.”

Enyimba also defeated El-Kanemi 3-0 to send the Borno Warriors to relegation while Wolves defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 in Warri to escape relegation on the final day.

So, after yesterday’s matches, Remo Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors joined Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United in relegation to the lower division.

Barau FC 3-0 Nasarawa United
Insurance 1-1 Remo Stars
Enyimba 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Ikorodu City 1-2 Rangers
Tornadoes 1-0 3SC
Rivers United 3-0 Katsina United
Wolves 2-1 Abia Warriors
Bayelsa United 4-0 Kwara United
Plateau United 1-0 Pillars
Wikki Tourists 1-3 Kun Khalifat