By Samuel Akpan
Finishing the 2025/2026 season with 68 points, Rangers International FC equalled the record for the most NPFL titles by securing their ninth crown on Sunday in Lagos..
The championship was decided in dramatic fashion via a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ikorodu City.
The Flying Antelopes arrived in Lagos hungry for glory and started brightly at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena.
Kelvin Briggs rose to meet an early long delivery but watched his flicked header sail just over the bar.
The contest remained scrappy and cagey in the opening stages, with both sides struggling to carve out clear chances.
Rangers thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the first half when Daniel Itodo’s trademark long throw created chaos in the Ikorodu box, only for the effort to be ruled out.
The deadlock finally shattered in the 31st minute as captain Obinna Nwobodo pounced on a loose ball near the home penalty area, drove forward, and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Derrick July for a deserved 1-0 lead.
The visitors stayed in control, pressing aggressively and threatening from set-pieces.
Defender Chidozie Iwundu fired a long-range effort, while Itodo’s dangerous throw-ins kept the hosts on edge.
Just before the break, another Itodo delivery picked out league top scorer Godwin Obaje, whose clever flick flashed agonisingly wide.
Shortly after the restart, Rangers doubled their advantage.
Wisdom Ebirim forced a sharp save, and the alert Nwobodo reacted first to smash home the rebound for his second goal of the afternoon.
Ikorodu City refused to surrender, pulling one back when Moses Bada pounced on a loose ball after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh parried a dangerous cross from captain Folarin Temitope.
The hosts poured forward in search of an equaliser, while Rangers hunted a third. Waheed Adebayo squandered a late opportunity after latching onto an Ebirim knockdown.
In the end, the Enugu side stood firm to claim the single point they needed, igniting wild celebrations among their travelling supporters.
The triumph marks Rangers’ second league title in three seasons under General Manager Amobi Ezeaku and Technical Adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu.
With this victory, the Flying Antelopes now sit level with Enyimba on nine Nigerian league titles — the joint-most successful clubs in history.
🏆 1974
🏆 1975
🏆 1977
🏆 1981
🏆 1982
🏆 1984
🏆 2016
🏆 2024
🏆 2026
Meanwhile Enyimba currently holds nine Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) titles, a record they shared with Enugu Rangers after the latter’s dramatic 2025/2026 campaign triumph:
🏆2001 – First league crown under coach Godwin Uwa, marking the start of a golden era.
🏆2002
🏆2003
🏆2005 – Part of a domestic double (also won the FA Cup).
🏆2007
🏆2009–10 (often listed as 2010)
🏆2015
🏆2019 – Record-extending eighth title at the time.
🏆2022–23 – Ninth and most recent league triumph.
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