NPFL Preview: Eyes on Rangers as 2024/25 season begins

A new season beckons with Rangers International set to defend the Nigeria Premier Football League title they lifted high into the heavens 69 days ago in Jos.

The season curtain raiser vs. President Federation Cup Champions Elkanemi Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Saturday will set the ball rolling for what should be an exciting campaign.

For the first time in recent years, the league will get underway in the month of August without any wranglings, politicking and football impasse.

Rangers have been active on the continent where they have beaten U.S. Zilimadjou in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League to book their place in the final qualifying round for the group stages. Unfortunately, Elkanemi Warriors were bundled out at the first hurdle in the Confederation Cup.

The defending champions have done a lot of business in the transfer market as they aim to become the first side to defend their title in over a decade.

Led by a sagacious coach in Fidelis Ilechukwu, Rangers have snapped up Ekeson Okorie and Tekena Garando – the duo were impressive for Bayelsa United last campaign. Veteran Anayor Ogbonna was brought in to bolster the attack and Evans Ogbonda in defence. Former Doma United man Hillary Ekawu, Ernest Governor returns from sojourn abroad, goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi, Macben Otika arrives from Enyimba, Somtochukwu Nwobodo, Chimobi Igwilo – a product of the NPFL-U17 Youth League, and Onyekachi Okafor are others who have been brought in.

For the first time in three seasons, Rangers will begin the season at the Cathedral and it gives them the chance against the newly promoted Warriors.

Tutored by Daniel Ogunmodede, Remo Stars have finished second in back-to-back seasons and will be keen to get their hands on the trophy this season. The Sky Blues Stars have kept a bulk of last season’s squad, while strengthening with the likes of Ifeanyi Anaemena (second stint), Alex Oyowah, and Faisal Sani as some of the major additions.

Now led by former NPFL winner Usman Abd’Allah, Kano Pillars have gone through another round of restructuring, shuffle and tussle. Sai Masu Gida still have the bulk of their squad from last season though they have lost Ibrahim Mustapha to Elkanemi, Abdullahi Musa to Katsina United, Faisal Sani to Remo Stars, and Aminu Mohammed to Elkanemi Warriors while Mohammed Zulkifilu has moved to the club from Rangers.

Plateau United now have Mbwas Mangut in charge for the second season in a row. He started last campaign well before his side fizzled out. In a bid to avoid that, they have signed Sadiq Abubakar, Adewale Adeyinka and Chinedu Sunday from Rivers United, Kwara United and Lobi Stars respectively; while Mafeng Pam and Vincent Temitope arrive from Sunshine Stars. Meanwhile, they have lost Albert Hillary and Nenrot Silas in attack while Bamidele Adeniyi moved to Rivers United.

Shooting Stars Stars Sports Club (3SC) are coached by Gbenga Ogunbote and were able to bring in the likes of Lukman Binuyo, Ikouwem Utin, Abayomi Adebayo, Abiodun Akande to bolster their squad. Meanwhile, a number of starters including Gbolagade Adelowo, Dele Aniyikaye, and Malomo Taofeeq have moved out of the country. The Ibadan faithful will hope the side can match last season’s top four finish or surpass it.

Former champions Enyimba lost a number of players to abroad deals including Olorunleke Ojo, but they have been able to acquire  capable replacements. Wasiu Jimoh arrives with bag of continental experience, Kalu Nweke, Chinedu Ufere, Ismail Sarki and goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe are some of the additions. The team will be led by Yemi Olanrewaju after the Aba club confirmed him as the head coach after the previous campaign ended.

Another League winner – Finidi George – makes a return to the league following a not-too-pleasant stint with the Super Eagles. He’s gone to Rivers United where there has been a lot of exits. Nyima Nwagua, Sochima Victor, and  Augustine Okejepha have all left for foreign deals, while the likes of Taiwo Abdulrafiu, Bamidele Adeniyi, Duke Osimaga are some of the newest additions as the club look to rebuild.

At Sunshine Stars, Kennedy Boboye is building a decent squad to fight for honours this season. The two-time league winner has brought in Seth Mayi, Isaac James and Emmanuel Ofori from Remo Stars, while Vincent Temitope, Mustapha Lawal and Mafeng Pam have left the club.

Relegation survivors from last season – Kwara United and Akwa United – have been up and doing in the transfer window as they hope to finish in respectable positions.

Newcomers Ikorodu City, led by Bright Ozegbagbei, have been prudent in their dealings and it remains to be seen if they will retain their status at the end of the season. Notably, they have former Sporting Lagos man Rivio Ayemwenre in their fold.

Other mentions: former league winner Imama Amapakabo returns to Abia Warriors, while Nasarawa United are back among the elite after a brief stint in the lower division.

It promises to be an interesting season with lots of drama expected across all centres.

MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Rangers v El-Kanemi Warriors

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Beyond Limits v Enyimba

Lobi Stars v Akwa Utd

Kwara Utd v Niger Tornadoes

Bendel Insurance v Rivers Utd

Kano Pillars v Ikorodu City

Plateau Utd v Katsina Utd

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Abia Warriors v Remo Stars

Sunshine Stars v Bayelsa Utd

Nasarawa Utd v 3SC