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NPFL 2025/26 ENDS IN STYLE AS RANGERS CLINCH TITLE IN LAGOS THRILLER
…As NSC DG Hon. Olopade Showers Encomium on Elegbeleye-led NPFL Board
The Nigeria Premier Football League wrapped up its 2025/26 season in grand style on Sunday as Rangers International were crowned champions after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
The decisive encounter drew top sports administrators to the ground, including National Sports Commission Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, who presented the trophy to the new champions, Rangers International, alongside the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Adeboye, and NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Rangers’ victory sealed the title despite Rivers United’s 3-0 win over Katsina United on the same day. The Port Harcourt side’s result was not enough to overturn Rangers’ advantage, confirming the Enugu club as champions.
Speaking after the match, NSC DG Hon. Bukola Olopade commended the league board for sustaining improvements over the last three seasons.
“I want to first of all congratulate Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, the Chairman of the League. It’s an amazing job they have done this season, just like they did last season and two years ago when we had the Super Eight here,” Olopade said.
“There has been tremendous improvement. We keep moving from strength to strength, and today’s atmosphere was amazing. It’s something that we all as Nigerians must be proud of. Congratulations to Rangers, Ikorodu City, and Rivers United—amazing football today.”
Olopade noted that the league had made clear progress in structure, planning, and timing, but said the next step was securing bigger sponsorship.
“In terms of structure, planning, and timing, we have moved on. What we need to work on now—and I am saying this in front of the chairman—is to attract multiple mega sponsorships for the league. This league is ripe for multibillion-naira sponsorship, and that’s what we need to start working towards collectively,” he said.
He added that the NFF, NSC, and the league board must work together to ensure the NPFL is properly funded to match its growing appeal.
According to a statement signed by Kola Daniel, S.A. Media in the Office of the Director General National Sports Commission, the 2025/26 season marks another step forward for the NPFL under Elegbeleye’s leadership, with improved organization and growing confidence from stakeholders. For Rangers, the title caps a consistent campaign and adds to the club’s rich history in Nigerian football.
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