By Our Football Correspondent
ENUGU RANGERS took a massive step toward claiming the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) silverware yesterday, securing a clinical 2-0 victory over a struggling Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
In what was a high-stakes Matchday 36 encounter, the “Flying Antelopes” showed exactly why they are league leaders, combining defensive discipline with a ruthless edge in front of goal to silence the home crowd in Yenagoa.
The visitors started with intent, refusing to let the humid conditions or the vocal home support dampen their rhythm. The deadlock was broken in the first half when a swift counter-attacking move carved open the Bayelsa defense, allowing the league leaders to slot home with professional ease.
Despite a spirited attempt by Bayelsa United to claw their way back into the game in the second period, Rangers’ backline held firm. A second goal late in the game effectively killed off the contest, ensuring all three points headed back to Enugu.
The result leaves Rangers on 62 points, maintaining their slim one-point lead over rivals Rivers United, who also kept up the pressure with a win of their own. For Bayelsa United, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table and facing an uphill battle for top-flight survival with only two games remaining.
”We knew it would be a battle, but the boys showed the heart of champions today,” said a jubilant Rangers traveling supporter. “Two games to go, and the trophy is coming to Enugu.”
With the finish line in sight, Rangers now return home for their next fixture, knowing that their destiny remains firmly in their own hands. If they can replicate this level of composure, the NPFL crown is theirs for the taking.
