Rangers International Football Club of Enugu fans residing in Ebonyi, have expressed great ecstacy over the club’s triumph in the just concluded 2025/ 2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The “Flying Antelopes” defeated Ikorodu United 2-1 in Lagos on Sunday to clinch the title which it last won in 2016.
The fans who spoke in Abakaliki, said the Rangers victory is not only for Enugu people, but the entire south east geo-political zone.
Hillary Obiesie, Permanent Secretary of the Ebonyi Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, said that Rangers remains the identity of the entire Igbo people.
“This team was formed collectively by the Igbos after the nation’s civil war as part of the rehabilitation, re-integration and reconstruction mantra existing then.
“Any success recorded by the team is for the entire Igbos as its fan base spreads across the south east zone, Nigeria and the diaspora,”.
Ikenna Odo, A Members of the Ebonyi Football.Association hailed the Rangers players, officials and management for the victory, noting that the team showed unbridled consistency throughout the NPFL season.
Odoh an Enugu indigene, said the team appeared solid from beginning till the end, making up with scintilating performances whenever it dropped valuable points.
“The Enugu government should be commended for massively supportng the team and with an additional Confederation of African Football (CAF) champions league campain in the kitty, the investment was fruitful,”.
Chijioke Edeh, A Former Golden Eaglets Striker identified the Rangers management’s wisdom to retain Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu as a major tonic behind the NPFL triumph.
“We have situations across the globe where clubs and countries take delight in sacking their coaches when they encounter slide in fortunes.
“Clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona among others with their respective recent titles, have shown the world the benefits of patience by retaining their coaches,”.
Miss Joy Ugbor, a Student and Rangers Fan prayed that the victory should make team’s fans return to the stadium next season for both league and continental matches.
“We witnessed empty stands at the cathedral (Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium) during the team’s home matches this season and such could be attributed to some poor runs from the club.
“The club has presently put joy on the faces of their fans and we hope this will make them return to the stadium stands,”.
