Named as the ‘Best team in 2024,’ Rangers looking for a successful NPFL title defense as second half beckons
Rangers International FC of Enugu will be looking to successfully defend the Nigeria Premier Football League title they won last season and will be buoyed by the fact tyat they ended the 2024 calendar year as the best NPFL team.
The Flying Antelopes, as Rangers are fondly called, earned the most points (79), the most wins (23) and the best goal difference (25). The Coal City outfit also had the best points per game (1.88) and best win per game (0.55).
The team is currently fourth on the log with 31 points from 19 games, five off table-topping Remo Stars of Ikenne after 19 rounds of games in the competition.
Rangers had the longest unbeaten run (10) in the first half of the season and have lost just four games so far with two coming at the Cathedral, the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in Enugu.
Victory in those games against Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars would have pushed them top of the log with 37 points and for a successful title defence, the Flying Antelopes must win their home games in the second half of the season and get as many points on the road.
In the first half of the season, Rangers earned 12 points out of a possible 30 in the 10 away games they played and have not conceded away from home since the end of October when they drew 1-1 at Kwara United.
A repeat of this feat and winning all their 10 home games in the second half of the competition will quarantee the Flying Antelopes a successful title defence and probably also finish the 2025 calendar year as the best team in the NPFL.
