The 2024/25 season of theNigeria Premier FootballLeague ended penultimateweekend with Remo Stars emerging champions. It was their first title ever. Intriguingly, Enugu Rangers who were champions the previous season surrendered their crown long before the final day of this season.
Their title defence began on a high note but soon became feeble as the season wore on. What happened to Enugu Rangers? With coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, the man who piloted their flight to their first title in years still in the saddle makes it was even more intriguing that Rangers finished outside teams that qualified for next seasons continental inter-club competitions. Pathetic.
A passionate Enugu Rangers fan, Emmanuel Okeke, alias Okwuluora ndi Igbo, believes there is more to Rangers capitulation than meets the eye. For instance, he mentioned Rangers loss to Heartland FC during the season as one of the indices that showed that all was not well with the club. He described the goals Rangers conceded in that match as magical.
In a chat with Osondu Ngude on Primesport 104.9 fm, Enugu Okeke said, Four days before that match, I got phone calls from Heartland fans that they were going to beat Rangers 2-0 they said there was an arrangement. I questioned, which arrangement? When they hosted the match they won but the manner they got their goals was magical.
Continuing, Okeke said, Some of you dont know how much I love Rangers. I forfeited the chance of going to America for the first time and chose to go watch Rangers, After that defeat I withdrew my support for Rangers to some extent. He called on administrators of Rangers to take responsibility for the poor campaign. We need someone to come and tell us what happened in that match. Rangers is our club Rangers is our conscience, Rangers is our joy Rangers is everything. People need to take responsibility.