Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has congratulated Rangers International Football Club of Enugu for winning the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with a game to spare.
The congratulatory message followed the team’s 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday.
A 33rd-minute goal by Kenechukwu Agu and 65th-minute goal by Chidiebere Nwobodo, handed the Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored lads their eighth league title and their second since 2016.
Their closest rivals, Remo Stars and Enyimba Football Club lost their match-day 37 fixtures 1-2 each against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos.
This left the Flying Antelopes with a 67-point lead with a game to go.
Reacting to the development, Mbah said Rangers’ title win and display on the pitch were clear exciting reenactment of the greatness Enugu State was known for.
He assured that his government would commit more resources toward sports development in the state.
“I can tell you that the government and people of Enugu State are very excited. What we have witnessed here this evening is the reenactment of the greatness that Enugu is known for.
“Part of what I said to the players before the match started was that they had the weight of history on their shoulders because they were walking the path legends had walked and that it was incumbent on them to deliver.
“I’m so excited again that this has happened.
“Indeed, our tomorrow is here. It is again part of connecting the dots in the sports sector. As you already know, we want to be the number one in everything we do.
“So, we have zero tolerance for failure or mediocrity and our work ethic is impeccable,” Mbah said.
He said the state would continue on that trajectory, making sure that they had a good reward system, motivate the players to go all out and bring back the trophy.

Enugu Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has boasted that the Flying Antelopes have indeed been the best team in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League after securing their eighth title and first triumph since 2016.
Rangers emerged champions of the NPFL with one game to spare after they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium thanks to a goal in each half from Kenechukwu Agu and Chidiebere Nwobodo.
The other three contenders for the title, Remo Stars, 3SC and nine-time champions Enyimba, all dropped points in their respective matches, paving the way for the Flying Antelopes to win their eighth title.
In his first season in charge at the cathedral, Ilechukwu guided Rangers to an unassailable five-point lead with 67 points, going into their last game of the season against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium next week.
‘The Working One’ as Ilechukwu is fondly called had previously worked with the defunct MFM FC, Heartland and Plateau United before joining Rangers at the start of the season.
“We are the best from the beginning to the end. The best technical team and best tactical team,” Ilechukwu said after the game on Sunday.
“We have worked so hard to come this far from Awka to Enugu. I have to thank so many people; governor Peter Mba, Amobi Ezeaku the general manager, all the management staff, the technical crew and the fans, the best in the world.
“I am so happy. It’s not easy to be a champion. Everything was perfect, the motivational part of football was so perfect and the technical crew were sound.”
After starting the season brightly, the Flying Antelopes’ momentum was slowed down in December after failing to win in five consecutive matches. Ilechukwu however said he was unmoved by the dip in form at the end of last year.
“Even when we were struggling, I knew we were going to do well and that was why I said people should wait till the end.”
Meanwhile, the general manager of the club Amobi Ezeaku, who doubles as one of the players is looking to get his only start of the season in the colours of the club when they face Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigeria team has won bronze at the 2024 Chovken World Championship held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Nura Kangiwa, patron of NSK polo team, disclosed this in a statement by Joesef Karim, Media Assistant to Vice President, African Region, International Chovken Federation today in Abuja.
Kangiwa, who is also the Chairman, African Region of the International Chovken Federation, said that Nigeria drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan to win bronze on points from previous matches.
“This is the first time Nigeria participated in any global Chovken, an ancient equestrian sport similar to polo.
“Team Nigeria’s build-up to the finals, Nigeria beat Germany 5-0; beat Poland 4-1; and lost against Morocco 4-1,” he said.
The Tidesports source reports that the World Chovken Championship was held from June 10 to 16.
Turkey, Malta, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, and Nigeria, including hosts Azerbaijan participated in the championship.
The ancient sport of Chovken is a team sport similar to the more popular polo. It is played by horse riders with sticks competing to hit a small ball into a goal post.
A  match consists of two halves, each last for  15 minutes of effective playtime.
The team Nigeria players include  Yusuf Bello, Shehu Kangiwa, Mukhtar Adhama and Abdulmalik Badamasi and they were led by Kangiwa.