●First win of the season
By Emmanuel Chinedu
Kelvin Itodo scored the decisive late goal as the defending league champions, Rangers International of Enugu, secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over visitors, Nasarawa United. The match was played on Wednesday as a rescheduled EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 3 encounter.
The game started on Wednesday, but was disrupted by the heavy downpour at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, when the clash was still tied at 1-1 after the 65th minute. Rangers centre-back Chidozie Iwundu drew the game level 1-1 before it was suspended.
The game resumed on Thursday morning, as Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side continued showing clear dominance in the game, and they found a breakthrough after former Plateau United right-back Itodo struck home the decisive goal late on in the final five minutes of the game. The goal helped the defending champions to secure a 2-1 win and also picked their first victory of the 2026/27 EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League season.
Rangers will remain in Owerri for this weekend, as they continue their preparations ahead of the Oriental derby with Owerri-based side, Kun Khalifat FC, this Sunday, 20 September, 2026, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
Nasarawa United will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they play host to last season’s league runners-up, Rivers United, in a matchday four encounter in Lafia this Sunday.
