Nigerian Sports Awards Salutes Enugu Rangers on NPFL Title Win

Unmissable Incentives Limited – organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award has congratulated Enugu Rangers International Football Club for winning the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

In congratulating the Club, popularly called the ‘Flying Antelopes’, which thrashed El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 during the final match of the season played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, breaking a 32-year jinx to win the League Trophy, Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu hailed their perseverance and doggedness throughout the matches leading up to this remarkable victory.

L-R, Mr. Ejiro Omonode, Member of the Award Panel; Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, the Chairman of the Award Panel; Mr. Tunji Mesh, the Marketing and Communications Manager, Bet 9ja and Mr. Kayode Idowu, Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited during the 2016 Inaugural Press Conference for the 5th Edition of the Nigerian Sports Award held recently.

The newly crowned champions finished the league with 63 points, three points ahead of second-placed Rivers United who defeated Akwa United 2-1 in Uyo, to win its 7th League Trophy.

Idowu further commended the players, coaches and management of the team for its hard work and tenacity which has seen it rise once again to the pinnacle of the country’s domestic league competition, adding that the team should make football loving Nigerians happy by going all out to win the next edition of CAF African Champions League.

“We call on the management of Enugu Rangers International to start serious preparation in earnest for the CAF Champions League in order to perform brilliantly during the continental championship,” Idowu Said.

Idowu also commended the League Management Company (LMC) for its focused organisation of the league, urging them to keep the flag flying. “We wish to congratulate the LMC on the successful completion of the 2015/2016 league season, we look forward to a more competitive 2016/2017 season as the LMC gradually moves to restore the glory of the Nigeria Professional Football League,” he said.

Enugu Rangers FC
photo credit: Sammy Wejinya

Idowu afterwards used the medium to urge sports lovers to nominate the team and other teams of their choice into the ‘Team of the Year’ Category for this year’s edition of the Nigerian Sports Award. “The just concluded Nigerian Professional Football League has provided us all with a platform through which we can evaluate the performances of all the participating clubs and nominate them into the ‘Team of the Year’ Category for the upcoming Nigerian Sports Award.

Visit the official website of the award (www.nigeriansportsaward.com) or go through other social media platforms to nominate their sports personalities in the different categories” he concluded.

NIGERIA PILLAR OF SPORTS, EJIDIKE CONGRATULATES RANGERS

Spurred by the transparency and conduct of the League Management Company, LMC which produced Rangers International Football Club of Enugu as the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champion for the 2015/16 league season, the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, J.P has congratulated Enugu Rangers International of Enugu on the enviable feat.

Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Ejidike in a statement described the scintillating performance of Coal City boys as enviable for breaking the 32 years jinx of not being able to lift the premier league trophy.

Enugu Rangers FC
photo credit: Sammy Wejinya

Enugu Rangers is very symbolic to Nigerian nation and is about the only premier league club that has never gone on relegation since its formation.

“The Flying Antelopes have shown that with determination and encouragement much could be achieved as the popular saying, ‘never say die until the bones are rotten’. Rangers are good, they have won the league, I heartily congratulate them and wish they will bring back to bear the nostalgic memories of their rivalries with clubs like the Shooting Stars, Stationery Stores, Mighty Jets and the likes when spectators would be eager to watch great Nigerian football stars.” Sounded Ejidike.

He called on the government of Enugu State and the management to encourage and motivate the boys as they hoist the flag of Nigeria in CAF Champions League competition.

Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, J.P

The Pillar of Sports also commended the Alhaji Shehu Dikko-led League Management Company, LMC for rebranding the Nigerian professional league.

Ejidike said the innovation attracted spectators as there were significant improvement in officiating, security and organisation of the league this just concluded season.

However, he called on the Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung and the Nigeria Football Federation to wade into all agitations especially court cases and placate all frayed nerves as we hope for a better league next season.

Iyaye Commends Enugu Rangers Over League Triumph

Rivers State Commissioner of Sport, Honourable Boma Iyaye has congratulated Enugu Rangers for emerging champions of the Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) league this season.

Honourable Iyaye also lauded the runners up of this season’s NPFL, Rivers United for ‘pushing Rangers all the way’ while expressing belief that the two clubs will give Nigeria creditable representation in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Rivers State Sports Commissioner Honourable Boma Iyaye

“I want to congratulate Enugu Rangers for emerging champions of the NPFL for the first time in 32 years.

“Rivers United have also done well this season considering how the club started the season.

“They have shown great doggedness and the traditional fighting spirit by defying the odds and pushing Rangers all the way even till the final day of the season.

Enugu Rangers FC
photo credit: Sammy Wejinya

“We want to assure Nigerians that we will not rest on our laurels but work even harder to see that a very strong and well-prepared Rivers United does Nigeria proud on the continent next year,” he said.