By ANDRE D. BISYIT
THE new Jos Zaria Road Stadium, Plateau State, was agog with dignitaries, football administrators and enthusiasts who gathered to witness an epoch-making event as Enugu Rangers Football Club was crowned as the champions of Nigeria’s Premier Football League for the 8th time.
Rangers won the league with a game to spare after beating Bendel Insurance 2-0 in the match-day 37 and their last game 2-1 against relegated Gombe United, which added to their points to finish the league with 70 points.
Plateau State had witnessed this same historic event when Plateau United clinched the NFFL 2016/2017 season title with a 2-0 victory over then Enugu Rangers (now Rangers International of Enugu) when Plateau United needed a point to lay their hands on the title, then led by Coach Kennedy Boboye, at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium.
On this occasion, Governor Mutfwang, amidst cheers, presented Nigeria’s prestigious league title to the winners alongside Enugu State governor and other dignitaries.
In an interview with journalists after the thrilling encounter, an obviously excited Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, said that they built on the successes recorded in the past and worked harder in order to make them fly the country’s flag at the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League. He promised that the team would replicate the feat at the continental level since sports is a veritable economic catalyst aside being a unifying factor. He assured of the necessary support to enable the team remain at the top.
“We are not going to be complacent because of the success we recorded here. We are going to replicate this feat at the continental level,” he assured.
Fidelis Ilechukwu, Technical Adviser of Enugu Rangers, disclosed that the secret behind his team’s success was their hard work and determination, adding that they also prepared well for the league and put aside the away and home matches dichotomy which mentality which helped them a lot.
“We prepared well for the season and knew we can win or lose as well. That’s why we remove the home and away matches mentality as we see all games as the same which helped us in the second round of the League,” he said.
The soccer tactician, who is the immediate past Plateau United coach, disclosed that he was familiar with the intrigues of the CAF Champions League, adding that plans were already in top gear to recruit more experienced players to add to the ones on ground to enable them perform creditably in the league.
He assured that, with the necessary support from management, the sky would be their limit.
“Plateau State is one of the best states in Nigeria. I have said that before. They are good people in attitude, disciplined in character and accommodate everyone, irrespective of where you come from. So, today they’ve shown that they love and miss me and I want to commend GTI for partnering with the NFF, which has given the league wide coverage,” he noted.
Earlier, in their separate remarks, Ibrahim Gusau, NFF President, and Abubkar Lawal, General Manager, GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, commended the developmental strides of Governor Mutfwang and quest for promoting sports and assured of their support.
They also promised to provide quality schemes aimed at enhancing the value of the elite league using internationally accepted best practices.
