Rangers Int l FC players celebrating their goal during the game between Ikorodu City vs Rangers Int l FC at the Mobolaji Arena Stadium, Onikan, Lagos. Photo by Adeniyi Muyiwa Copyright: xAdeniyixMuyiwax
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) resumed from its mid-season break with one of the campaign’s biggest upsets on Saturday, January 25, 2025, Soccernet.ng reports.
Niger Tornadoes claimed arguably their most impressive away win of the season, defeating reigning champions Rangers 2-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The victory was sweet revenge for Niger Tornadoes, who had suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rangers in their final game of 2024. Bashir Usman’s strike had secured that win for the Coal Miners at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna on December 29.
Determined to repay the favor, Tornadoes opened the scoring in Enugu in the 17th minute through Ismael Ishak Saraki’s fine finish.
Rangers, led by Super Eagles assistant coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, responded swiftly when Collins Ugwueze equalized four minutes later, igniting the home crowd.
Despite Rangers’ relentless search for a second goal, Niger Tornadoes held firm. Their resilience paid off in the 64th minute when Ifeanyi Okechukwu struck the winner, silencing the vociferous home supporters.
Rangers had a massive chance to level the score late on but Chiedozie Okorie fired from the spot against the crossbar after Effimi Nsi was brought down in the box.
The result marks Rangers’ second consecutive home defeat following a 2-1 loss to Shooting Stars on December 22.
While these are the champions’ only defeats since October, the recent setbacks have dented their title defense. They now trail league leaders Rivers United by five points, with Rivers having played one fewer game.
Earlier in the day, Nasarawa United boosted their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 win over Katsina United. Though still at the bottom of the table, Nasarawa’s first win in four matches takes them to 19 points, just two points shy of safety.
Elsewhere, the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne hosted a thrilling seven-goal contest as Sunshine Stars edged Ikorodu City 4-3.
Sunshine raced to a three-goal lead within 34 minutes, courtesy of strikes from Ahmadu Liman, Promise Awosanmi, and Alao Danlami.
However, Shola Adelani inspired Ikorodu City’s fightback, scoring either side of halftime to narrow the deficit to 3-2.
Danlami restored Sunshine’s two-goal cushion with his second of the game in the 74th minute, a crucial strike as Emmanuel Solomon pulled one back for Ikorodu in stoppage time.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Sunshine Stars held firm to claim the win, climbing provisionally to 12th on the league table.
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