Enugu Rangers Clinch Ninth NPFL Title While Remo Stars Are Relegated

Enugu Rangers secured their ninth Nigeria Premier Football League title after a tense 2-1 win over Ikorodu City in Lagos on Sunday, while Remo Stars were relegated following a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance in Benin City.

The Flying Antelopes knew that only a victory would guarantee them the championship, with Rivers United applying pressure from their match in Port Harcourt on the final day.

Rangers remained composed under pressure, with Chidiebere Nwobodo scoring twice in the 30th and 52nd minutes to put the visitors in command in Lagos.

Ikorodu City responded in the 58th minute through Moses Ali, but Rangers’ disciplined defense and game management ensured they held on to win and secure the title with 68 points.

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In Port Harcourt, Rivers United, led by Finidi George, produced a dominant 3-0 victory over Katsina United, but their efforts were not enough, leaving them second with 67 points, just one behind Rangers.

The narrow margins and contrasting outcomes between the two matches highlighted how crucial Rangers’ efficiency and composure were in claiming the championship.

This triumph adds to Rangers’ illustrious history, marking league victories in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016, 2023/24, and now 2025/26, reaffirming their status as one of Nigeria’s most decorated football clubs.

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Meanwhile, former champions Remo Stars were relegated after a dramatic end to their match, with Victor Mbaoma’s first-half strike giving hope before Chijioke Akuneto equalized for Bendel Insurance deep into added time.

The late goal pushed Remo from 12th to 16th position, and their survival hopes hinged on the delayed Kun Khalifat vs Wikki Tourists fixture, which ultimately ended 3-1 in favor of Khalifat, condemning the Sky Blue Stars to the second tier.

Remo Stars became the first defending NPFL champions to be relegated since Bayelsa United in 2009/10 and only the fourth reigning champion in league history to drop during a title defense, following Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.

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Alongside Remo Stars, El-Kanemi Warriors, Bayelsa United, and Wikki Tourists were also relegated, while Rivers United finished runners-up to claim a spot in next season’s CAF Champions League, closing another dramatic NPFL season.

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