Not Rangers! Fidelis Ilechukwu names two favourites for NPFL title
Enugu Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu is adamant that clinching the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title is not the primary objective for his team this season, despite currently leading the log.
Rangers have showcased remarkable away performances, securing a 19% win rate on the road, alongside scoring the highest number of goals in the league at 46, as per NPFLinData.
Despite their impressive form and leading position, Ilechukwu remains grounded in his ambitions, saying that winning the league is not the main focus for Rangers FC this season.
He pointed out that teams like Enyimba and Remo Stars hold certain advantages in the title race, although he didn’t elaborate on what exactly the Rangers’ season objectives are.
Responding to a fan’s mention of Rangers’ exceptional away form and goal-scoring prowess on Twitter, Ilechukwu reiterated his stance, choosing to downplay any talk of championship aspirations.
“I have said this on different platforms, and maybe I need to say this again. Winning the league is not the target for this season,” the Rangers boss said on X, formerly Twitter.
“Enyimba, Remo Stars and others have an advantage,” Fidelis Ilechukwu added
This approach contrasts with the typical attitude of coaches leading the league, who often express confidence in their team’s ability to clinch the title from such a strong position with only a few games left in the season.
Despite being at the top of the league table, Ilechukwu seems determined to relieve his squad of any undue pressure and maintain realistic expectations.
Rangers’ last NPFL title win was in 2016, and Ilechukwu appears focused on navigating the remaining fixtures without getting carried away with title talk.
Part of Ilechukwu’s caution might stem from the stiff competition posed by Enyimba and Remo Stars, who are trailing closely behind Rangers in the standings. With six games remaining, the title race remains open, and Ilechukwu is wary of the challenges his team may face from their closest rivals.
