Rangers are the new Nigeria league champions after they defeated Ikorodu United 2-0 in Abeokuta, Ogun State to achieve an unassailable lead at the top of the table.Rangers have 60 points from 35 matches.
Closest rivals, Rivers United, who have 56 points, failed to take their title chase right down to the final day of action after they failed to beat visiting Abia Warriors and Wikki fell 1-0 at Shooting Stars.
FC IfenyiUbah moved to third on the table after a hard-fought 1-0 home win over regional rivals, Enyimba.
‘The Anambra Warriors’ now have 56 points, same as second-placed Rivers United, who enjoy a better goals difference.
Rangers went in front after 26 minutes through a wonder goal by man of the match, Obinna Nwobodo, who sighted Ikorodu goalkeeper off his line and he chipped him from distance.
The exciting midfielder will then turn provider in the 39th minute when he delivered a cross across the Ikorodu goal for Chisom Egbuchulam to simply tap home.
In the second half, a third Rangers goal was chalked off Ebuguchulam’s acrobatic when striker Bobby Clement helped it on on its way into the net.
However, it was a tensed final minutes in Abeokuta after substitute Paul Duke scored for Ikkorodu United from a rather difficult angle.
Next Sunday’s final game at home to El Kanemi will therefore be a mere formality for The Flying Antelopes, who overall deserved the championship on the back of a solid away record.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United were held to a goalless draw by a spirited Abia Warriors, who are fighting to stay up, while a Samuel Olabisi headed goal in the second half was all home team Shooting Stars to stop Wikki Tourists in Ibadan.
There were home wins for Sunshine Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Heartland and El Kanemi Warriors on the day as well.
NPFL results
Ikorodu Utd 1-2 Rangers
Tornadoes 3-1 MFM
3SC 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Heartland 1-0 Kano Pillars
IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Enyimba
El-Kanemi 1-0 Plateau Utd
Sunshine Stars 1-0 W/Wolves
Nasarawa 2-2 Akwa Utd
Rivers Utd 0-0 Abia Warriors.
