Nigerian Football
Controversial table topping oriental clash awarded to Rangers, but fined N5m
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/enugu-rangers.jpg)
The Nigeria Premier League body has expectedly awarded Sunday’s inconclusive table-topping clash to Enugu Rangers while Enyima are fined N10 million in addition to losing the match.
Enugu Rangers are also fined N5million over poor arrangement for the match, especially for over ticketing and poor crowd control.
Three points and three goals are therefore awarded to Enugu Rangers, with 65 points are now six point clear of both Enyimba and Remo Stars.
As additional jeopardy for Enyimba who are tied on points, 59, with Remo Stars, their goal difference has now been narrowed.
Enyimba’s previously 15 goal difference is reduced to 12, just one more than Remo Stars’ 11 goals.
Leaders, Rangers will face another stiff game against a rejuvenated Shooting Stars as old rivalries are revived.
Shooting Stars, though with little chances of topping the league, are in vantage position for a top 3 finish and with prospects of picking a continental ticket.
Enyimba are at home to relegation-threatened Bayelsa United while another title contender, Remo Stars are also facing Heartland who are swimming in the murky waters of relegation.
Nigerian Football
A three-horse race for two continental ticket is set up after Enugu Rangers league win
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/enugu-rangers.jpg)
Enugu Rangers have broken loose from the pack as title contenders – Remo Stars, Enyimba and Shooting Stars all blew their chances in the penultimate match days as all lost with identical scorelines of 2-1 in their respective away games.
The title is gone, now resting in Enugu who are having their second league celebrations in over 30 years. They win the jackpot N150 million prize for their title.
But the battle is not over for the initial aspiring trio. At best they have the second CAF Champions League ticket to battle for. One of the three will win that on the last match day. The second placed team gets the CAF Champions League slot while the third gets the Confederation Cup ticket.
Another
Coincidentally, the trio will be at their familiar home ground. As it is, second placed Remo Stars are at advantage to pick a ticket if they can pick a point from their home game with Katsina United. It will be their third consecutive adventure in the continent.
The fierce battle will therefore be between third placed Enyimba and fourth placed Shooting Stars. Both badly need a win to get either the Champions League ticket or that of the Confederation Cup.
However, Plateau United are lurking and an away win by the Jos team in Aba will not only upset Enyimba, it could land the Plateau United a continental ticket should Shooting Stars lose or draw with Sporting Lagos.
On the other side of the divide, the battle to escape the drop has taken a dramatic twist. As the Sunday matches were on, Sporting Lagos initially thought they had escaped the drop.
But a turnaround by Bayelsa United who came from behind to beat Shooting Stars change the weather condition for the worst for the Lagos sides.
They now face an herculean task next weekend in their duel with continental ticket chasing Shooting Stars. The confirmed teams for relegation are Gombe United and Heartland.
Nigerian Football
Enugu Rangers are Nigerian champions!
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/enugu-rangers.jpg)
Enugu Rangers re-enacted their glorious old days and now the new Nigerian champions after defeating Bendel Insurance 2-0 and Remo Stars losing 2-1 to Sunshine Stars.
The trio of Remo Stars, Shooting Stars and Enyimba who were on the heels of Enugu Rangers all lost their away games with 2-1 scorelines.
With the result, Enugu Rangers attained an unassailable lead with just one match day to end the Nigerian league season. Despite their pedigree in Nigerian football, this is just their second title since the Nigerian top league changed status to professionalism in 1990.
Rangers, who are the only Nigerian club never to be relegated since the Nigerian national league began in 1972 won their only professional league title in 2016.
In the pre-professional football era, they were Nigerian champions in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981 and 1982.
This time, Remo Stars who who have delayed Enugu Rangers’ coronation lost in a western derby, but retained their second position when Shooting Stars conceded late goals to Bayelsa United and lost 2-1 after leading 1-0 for the greater part of the match. They dropped to the fourth position giving Enyimba a respite.
Shooting Stars who got rejuvenated midway in the season can still hold on to their continental ambition when they host relegation-escapee, Sporting Lagos on the last match day.
Rangers have a dead rubber away duel to Gombe United whose visa to the lower NNL has been issue. They possibly hold the record for the worst goal difference in the Nigerian league as they have a deficit of 56 goals.
Results
- Sunshine Stars 2-1 Remo Stars
- Sporting Lagos 2-1 Enyimba
- Bayelsa United 2-1 Shooting Stars
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Bendel Insurance
- Abia Warriors 2-0 Akwa United
Nigerian Football
Behold, Finidi George’s resignation letter and why he quit the job
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Finidiunveiling-Signing.jpeg)
The decision of the Nigeria Football Federation to engage a foreign technical adviser is the main reason why Finidi George resigned from his appointment as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
This is contained in the letter of resignation which copy Sports Village Square has. In the letter dated June 14, 2024 and addressed to the NFF President, Finidi wrote:
“I am writing to inform you of my decision to step down as the head coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s men senior team. This decision is in light of recent decision to effect changes in the team’s rechnical crew.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, the entire leadership of the federation, the sports ministry and the people of Nigeria for the opportunity to serve as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
“Although, our recent results in the qualifying matches were not as desired, I remained committed to getting our World Cup qualification campaign back on track.
“However, with the recent changes to the technical crew, I believe it is time to vacate my position.
“Please be assured of my continued support for the team, and I wish us all the best for the future.”
-
OPINION3 days ago
Osimhen: An unnecessary outburst
-
AFCON5 days ago
BREAKING! Nigeria Football Federation is finished with Finidi
-
World Cup6 days ago
2026 FIFA WORLD Cup: Guild of Sports Editors calls for NFF Board, Finidi resignation
-
World Cup2 days ago
Can of worms discovered in Super Eagles camp
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
Advantage Enugu Rangers as oriental table-topping league clash ends in utter confusion
-
Nigerian Football2 days ago
Behold, Finidi George’s resignation letter and why he quit the job
-
Nigerian Football2 days ago
Enugu Rangers are Nigerian champions!
-
Nigerian Football3 days ago
Osimhen blasts Finidi