Rangers International emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on the final day of the season after edging past Ikorodu City on Sunday.
The club have now equalled Enyimba’s win as the sides with nine league titles to their names.
The Flying Antelopes were in pole position by a point ahead of second-placed Rivers United setting up a final day drama.
The Coal City club needed an outright win to win their ninth league title while Rivers United hoped they stumble at Ikorodu City, a team they have never dropped points against in the top division in all head-to-head meetings.
Rangers kept their perfect record going against Ikorodu City by winning 2-1 with captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scoring both goals before Moses Ali netted for the home side to render Rivers United’s 3-0 triumph over Katsina United less important in the title race.
Chijioke Mbaoma (3′, 67′) and Aniekeme Okon (63′) scored for Rivers United.
CONTINENTAL CHASE
The defeat at home to Rangers meant that Ikorodu City for the second season in a roll missed qualifying for CAF inter-club competition.
Southwest rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) finished third on the standings despite suffering a 0-1 loss at Niger Tornadoes. Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai scored a first half spot kick to seal the win for the Minna club and ensured they escaped the drop.
RELEGATION DRAMA
Talking of other clubs who also entered the final day hoping to beat the drop, defending champions Remo Stars got relegated after playing out a 1-1 draw at Bendel Insurance.
Things looked bright and beautiful for the Sky Blue Stars who led 1-0 into the break through Victor Mbaoma’s goal until they conceded to a Chijioke Akuneto strike at the death.
The Remo Stars’ camp then had to wait for confirmation of their top flight status after the Kun Khalifat FC versus Wikki Tourists match was delayed due to heavy rainfall in Owerri.
It looked like things would swing in favour of Remo Stars when Jonathan Mairiga handed already relegated Wikki the lead on nine minutes. The lead lasted only seven minutes before in-form Uchechukwu Onuoha levelled the score for Kun Khalifat.
Further goals from Lekan Gabriel (67′) and Onuoha (77′) meant Kun Khalifat FC escaped relegation on the final day while Remo Stars dropped to the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Remo Stars became only the third defending champions to be relegated after Shooting Stars (in 1999) and Bayelsa United (in 2010).
El-Kanemi Warriors completed the quartet of relegated sides after a three-nil defeat at Enyimba. Stanley Dimgba (27′, 37′) and Uwana Asuquo (87′) scored the goals for Enyimba who also escaped relegation.
Warri Wolves also beat the drop on the final day after coming from a goal down to defeat Abia Warriors 2-1 at their Southern Delta University Stadium ground in Ozoro.
Imoh Obot fired Warriors in front in the first minute before Chisom Orji’s brace turned things around for Wolves before the hour mark.
THE OTHER FINAL DAY GAMES
Relegated Bayelsa United did not take their foot off the pedals as they thumped Kwara United 4-0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. The Restoration Boys had four different goalscorers in Peter Ebimobiwei, Saro Loveday, Stephen Wisdom and Nneoyi Ofem.
Bayelsa United goalkeeper Andy Clinton also kept out Jimoh Gbadamosi’s spot kick on 58 minutes to earn a clean sheet.
Victor Dawa’s late goal in added time of second ensured Plateau United finished the season with a 1-0 over Kano Pillars while Barau FC hit three past Nasarawa United with Joseph Atule, Sunday Anthony and Adamu Hussein scoring the goals at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
MATCHDAY 38 RESULTS
Tornadoes 1-0 3SC
Abdulrasheed S. Dabai 41′ (PEN)
Enyimba 3-0 El-Kanemi
Stanley Dimgba 27′, 37′, Uwana Asuquo 87′
Bayelsa Utd 4-0 Kwara Utd
Peter Ebimobiwei 47′, Saro Loveday 60′, Stephen Wisdom 65′, Nneoyi Ofem 70′
Bendel Insurance 1-1 Remo Stars
Chijioke Akuneto 90+’ – Victor Mbaoma 45′
Ikorodu City 1-2 Rangers
Moses Ali 58′ – Chidiebere Nwobodo 30′, 52′
Rivers Utd 3-0 Katsina Utd
Chijioke Mbaoma 3′, 67′, Aniekeme Okon 63′
Wolves 2-1 Abia Warriors
Chisom Orji 20′, 60′ (PEN) – Imoh Obot 1′
Plateau Utd 1-0 Kano Pillars
Victor Dawa 90+3′
Barau 3-0 Nasarawa Utd
Joseph Atule 43′, Sunday Anthony 77′, Adamu Hussein 84′
Kun Khalifat 3-1 Wikki #KUNWIK #NPFL26
Uchechukwu Onuoha 16′, 77′, Lekan Gabriel 67′ – Jonathan Mairiga 9′