Rangers poised for eighth NPFL title

Seven-time Nigerian champions, Enugu Rangers, may clinch their eighth Nigeria Premier Football League title on Sunday (today), if they beat Bendel Insurance in their match-day 37 game in Enugu, and their challengers, Remo Stars and Enyimba, lose their respective matches as well, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Rangers lead the chasing pack of Remo and Enyimba with two points, having amassed 64 points from 36 games.

As the Flying Antelopes look to hold firm to the title in the clash against Insurance, Remo Stars will lock horns with Sunshine Stars in tricky Southwest Derby in Akure while Enyimba are in Lagos to face relegation-threatened Sporting Lagos.

A win for Rangers on Sunday will give them an unassailable five-point gap ahead of Remo and Enyimba, who both have 62 points, but they must lose their respective games for that to happen.

Despite his usual downplay of their title chances, Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, believes a win will make them clear favourites to win the league.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Rangers are not under pressure to win the title,” Ilechukwu said via 54footballx.

“We had hoped to get a point in our last game against 3SC but if we win at home on Sunday, it means we have one hand on the title.”

Ilechukwu also admitted that Remo and Enyimba are stronger than the Flying Antelopes in the race and the resolve of both sides will be tested in Lagos and Akure.

Having dropped points at home against Bayelsa United in midweek, Enyimba’s chance of reviving their 10th title hopes pitches them against Sporting Lagos who must also win to stand a chance of surviving relegation.

Remo Stars also face a similar situation against Sunshine Stars who still need more points to steer clear of the drop. Aside from that, Remo’s visit is Sunshine’s last home game of the season, which comes with a lot of expectations from their fans.

“Our last home match this season is crucial for obvious reasons, I urge the fans to come out in large numbers and cheer us to victory. On our part we shall deliver, Sunshine head coach Kennedy Boboye said via the club’s X handle on Saturday.

Other possible scenarios in the three fixtures will see the title race go down to the final day. For instance if Rangers beat Insurance while Remo and Enyimba get a point each in their respective matches, the Flying Antelopes will have a three-point lead ahead of the final day.

However, a defeat for Rangers and wins for either or both Remo and Enyimba will see them topple the Flying Antelopes by a point.