Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, and other bigwigs of the federation were on hand, yesterday, to witness 2024 champions, Enugu Rangers, beat Gombe United 2-1 at the Jos Township Stadium to crown an eventful year that saw them defying all odds to regain the title they last won in 2016.
Rangers cemented their grip on the title last week in Enugu when they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 to ensure the crown returned to the coal city with an unassailable five-point lead over the pursuing Remo Stars and Enyimba of Aba.
Yesterday’s game, though a mere formality, saw the Flying Antelopes firing from all cylinders, with Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje scoring two quick goals just seven minutes into the game.
Thereafter, they elected to entertain the fans with crisp passes and dribbles that confounded the already relegated Gombe United.
Although Gombe United pulled one goal back in the 25th minute, Rangers locked shop to see off the game before celebrations erupted at the Jos Stadium, where thousands of their supporters came to watch NFF President, Gusau, hand over the trophy to the new champions.
While Rangers were entertaining their fans in Jos, Remo Stars, Enyimba of Aba and 3SC of Ibadan were busy fighting for the two remaining continental tickets from the league, but at the end, Remo Stars secured the more prestigious CAF Champions League ticket, while Enyimba settled for the Confederation Cup ticket.
Remo Stars defeated Katsina United by 2-1 with goals from Sodiq Ismail (19th minute) and Dayo Ojo (29th) to retain their second position on the log. Katsina United’s consolation goal was scored by Michael Ibe in the 77th minute.
In Aba, Enyimba held tight to the third position with late goals by Chijioke Mbaoma and Alade Balogun.
Enyimba’s win meant that 3SC ended the season empty handed, although their fourth-place finish is a big improvement on their previous season’s outings.
3SC defeated Sporting Lagos by a lone goal, a defeat that took the Lagos team back to the lower Nigerian National League (NNL) alongside Doma United, who drew 1-1 with Abia Warriors in Gombe.
Sporting Lagos and Doma United, thus, joined Heartland and Gombe United in dropping to the lower division.
Heartland and Gombe United were already relegated before the final day of the season.
