Enugu Rangers are 90 minutes away from being officially crowned champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2015/16 season.
Rangers are three points ahead of Rivers United. The Flying Antelopes host El-Kanemi Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, now called The Cathedral by Enugu fans.
Rangers need a point to guarantee the title while Rivers United go hunting for three points in Uyo against Akwa United.
The only way Rangers can lose the title is if they falter and the Port Harcourt side wins big away in Uyo.
With gates already thrown open for the final game by the Enugu governor, a massive crowd is expected as the coal city team go all out to end their 32-year wait for silverware.
PREMIUM TIMES’ Tunde Eludini brings live updates of the star match from the final day of action in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
LIVE UPDATES
Bobby Clement leads the Enugu Rangers’ attack as the Flying Antelopes take on El-Kanemi Warriors in their final game of the season.
The kickoff time is 4.00 p.m.
Coach Imama Amakabapo has opted for a 4-3-3 formation as he looks forward to ending the season on a high.
Sunday’s 90 minutes of action is set to end Rangers 32-year wait for silverware and all attention is on the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium now called Cathedral by the Flying Antelopes’ faithfuls.
Rangers XI
Goalkeeper: Nana bonso
Left Back: Chidiebere Okolie
Right Back: Etim Matthew
Central Defence 1: Okey Odita
Central Defence 2: Orji Kalu
Defensive Midfield: Christian Madu
Offensive Midfield 1: Osas Okoro
Offensive Midfield 1: Obinna Nwobodo
Forward 1: Ocheme Edoh
Forward 2: Chisom Egbuchulam
Forward 3: Bobby Clement
These are the players seeking to end the 32-year drought. Godwin Aguda is missing because he got a fifth yellow card against Ikorodu United last weekend in Abeokuta, which Rangers won 2-1.
Interestingly, out of the top four teams in the league, only the Flying Antelopes failed to win on the opening day this season. But that does not matter now as they need just a draw to be crowned champions for the first time in 32years.
Rangers will equal Enyimba’s record of having won the league seven times if they get crowned this evening.
El-kanemi XI
Yekeen Kazeem 24
Lucky Erimuya 6
Ali Malika Usman 21
Aghoha Otakho 2
Umar Zango 18
Mohammed Hussaini 34
Isiaka Olawale 28
Mathias Samuel 12
Ibrahim Mustapha 19
Chinedu Ohanachom 8
Abraham Audu 11
Subs
George Michael 1
Suleiman Dori 33
Hussaini Bata 37
Zubairu Mohammed 14
Kenneth James 32
Sadiq Zaki 36
Isaac Hele Hele 4
We are all set for the epic game… both teams are on the pitch and pre-match formalities going on.
The traditional Rangers anthem and the national anthem are rendered as the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium is filled to capacity.
Referee Ferdinand Udoh is man at the center for this highly anticipated clash
The Rangers players playing homage to the fans with fireworks already sounding in the background.
Explosive start… and Rangers win a penalty kick
3′: Goal !!!!!!Chisom Egbuchelam takes the kick and Rangers take the lead
Chisom Egbuchelam now with 14 goals … Perfect start for the Flying Antelopes!!!
Bobby Clement has been a handful for the El-Kanemi defence. It won’t be surprising to have him on the scorers’ sheet today .
Chance!!! but Ocheme Udoh ruled for offside play… Rangers will be happy with their early goal.
In the other centre, Rivers United yet to find their bearing in Uyo against Akwa United.
In the other centres, MFM FC are 1-0 up against FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Lagos while Abia Warriors are also 1-0 up against Shooting Stars.
MFM FC and Abia Warriors are both fighting to escape relegation.
29′: Obinna Nwodo’s mercurial display leads to a shot, saved by Keeper Yekini of El-Kanemi.
Bobby Clement of Rangers gets the first yellow card for a foul on El-Kanemi’s Isiaka Olawale
42′: Rangers double their lead. Osas Okoro scores.
First half ends. Rangers lead El-Kanemi 2-0. Set to be crowned champion if scores remain same.
Apart from Captain Okey Odita, none of the present Rangers players was born the last time the club won its last league title 32 years ago.
Second half underway. Rangers’ substitution: Bobby clement out for Chiamaka Madu.
Alex Otako of El-Kanemi gets into the referees book; second yellow card of the match.
Rangers’ Obinna Nwobodo pushed in the box but referee waves aside the call for another penalty kick
The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the Deputy Senate Present Ike Ekweremadu are among the dignitaries in the stadium to watch Rangers crowned champions.
64′: Rangers score again. 3-0. Chisom Egbuchulam curls the ball past El Kanemi goalkeeper, Yekini
Tope Olusesin replaced Osas Okoro for Rangers
Rangers have scored most goals and won most matches during the season, commentator announces.
El-Kanemi’s Usman Maizaka out for Isaac Hele Hele
Umar Zango of El Kanemi gets yellow card for challenge on Tope Olusesin of Rangers
Missed chance for Rangers to make it 4-0. Chris Madu hits the bar and rebound saved my El-Kanemi goalkeeper Kazeem Yekini.
Celebration already kick started as the cheer leaders have their dancing shoes on already.
Another sub for Rangers: Ifeanyi Egwim in, Ocheme Odoh out
An expert is seen engraving Rangers’ name on the trophy, as they get set to be crowned Nigerian League champions.
Serious injury feared for Ifeanyi Egwim as El-Kanemi goalkeeper Yekini gets a straight red card.
Rangers’ looking distraught as the ambulance comes in for injured Ifeanyi Egwim
George Micheal had come in for red-carded goalkeeper Yekini of El-Kanemi.
90+’: Chisom scores his third goal of the match. Converts penalty to make it 4-0 for Rangers.
Game is over. Rangers are the official league champions.
Worthy Champions ……. Rangers Scored most goals, lost least number of games and amassed most points
Rangers had 9 goal attempts to El-Kanemi’s 4. Rangers had 7 shots on target to El-Kanemi’s 1. Rangers had 57 per cent ball possession to El-Kanemi’s 43 per cent.
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...
![Rivers United [PHOTO CREDIT: @RiversUnitedFC]](https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/01/Esai85BW4AAurcU.jpg?resize=120%2C86&ssl=1)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION