Super Eagles legend Finidi George denied NPFL title as Rangers win dramatic ninth crown

Enugu Rangers have been crowned champions of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season after surviving a dramatic final day to clinch their ninth domestic title, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Flying Antelopes defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos to finish one point ahead of Rivers United and match Enyimba’s all-time league title record.

Rangers entered Matchday 38 knowing there was no room for error. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men were leading the table by a single point and needed victory away from home to avoid surrendering the crown to former Super Eagles coach Finidi George and his Rivers United side.

Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo delivered when it mattered most. The midfielder opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a fierce finish after Rangers dominated the early exchanges in Onikan. He struck again 10 minutes after the restart, calmly doubling the visitors’ advantage to silence the home crowd.

Ikorodu City refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Moses Ali reduced the deficit in the 58th minute and set up a nervous ending as Rangers defended desperately during stoppage time. The Enugu club eventually held on for all three points to complete another memorable title-winning campaign.

Rangers ended the NPFL season with 68 points from 38 matches, recording 19 wins, 11 draws and eight defeats with a goal difference of +20. Rivers United finished second on 67 points despite winning their own final match comfortably.

The win hands Rangers their ninth Nigerian league crown following previous successes in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016 and 2024. The title also guarantees the club a place in next season’s CAF Champions League as Nigeria’s top representative.

NPFL: Finidi suffers heartbreak as Shooting Stars end 28-year wait

Finidi George and Rivers United did everything possible on the final day, but the former Super Eagles winger was left heartbroken after narrowly missing out on what would have been his second NPFL title as a coach.

Rivers United defeated Katsina United 3-0 in Port Harcourt to pile pressure on Rangers. However, news from Lagos confirmed that their rivals had also secured victory, leaving the Pride of Rivers one point short of the championship.

Still, the campaign represents major progress for Finidi. Since taking charge in July 2024 after Rivers United finished eighth under Stanley Eguma, the former Ajax winger has transformed the Port Harcourt side into genuine title contenders and guided them back into the CAF Champions League.

Finidi will also hope for a stronger continental campaign next season after Rivers United endured a disappointing run in Africa earlier this term, failing to win a single group-stage match before crashing out.

There was more drama elsewhere on the final day as Shooting Stars sealed a long-awaited return to continental football despite losing 1-0 away to Niger Tornadoes in Minna. The Ibadan club held on to third place because fourth-placed Ikorodu City lost to Rangers.

The Oluyole Warriors finished the season with 60 points from 18 wins, six draws and 14 defeats to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. It will be Shooting Stars’ first appearance in African club football since 1998, ending a painful 28-year absence from the continental stage.