Rangers broke their 32-year jinx in Enugu,when they claimed their first league title since 1984 and in style too as they hammered El-Kanemi Warriors 4-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, in Sunday’s Nigerian Professional Football League match to finish the 2015-2016 season on 63 points.
The Flying Antelopes underlined their title credentials as early as the 3rd minute.
A hand ball by an El Kanemi player in the box gifted Rangers an early lead as Chisom Egbuchulam scored from the spot.
Christian Madu and Obinna Nwobodo were both impressive in the midfield and both ensured the Flying Antelopes were dominant all through the duration of the game.
Rangers almost doubled the lead in the 35th minute when El Kanemi’s goalie Kassim Yekeen saved Nwobodo’s scorcher.
Diminutive winger, Osas Okoro however doubled the lead on the 42nd minute with a clinical finish after receiving a chip from Obinna Nwobodo from the edge of the box.
The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Flying Antelopes.
On resumption of the second half, the impressive Chisom Egbuchulam continued to lead Rangers’ charge upfront with great skill, pace and dribbles as he combined well with Bobby Clement upfront.
Egbuchulam got two more goals to claim a hattrick and to complete a fine evening for the new champions though it almost turned sour when substitute Ifeanyi Egwim broke his leg as he charged forward.
Some of the players that won the last trophy were present at the Cathedral as the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium is called and were honoured at half time of the game.
Among the dignitaries present at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium were the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Obinna Ogba, NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko and LMC CEO Nduka Irabor.
Rangers end 32-year wait for NPFL title
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