Rangers International strengthened their position at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League after defeating Kwara United 1–0 in Awka, extending their winning sequence since returning to the Anambra State capital as their temporary home.
Rangers International continued their impressive NPFL campaign on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with a narrow 1–0 victory over Kwara United at Awka Township Stadium.
Chimezie scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute, securing another important three points for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side.
The victory was Rangers’ third consecutive win since returning to Awka for their home fixtures, reinforcing the club’s growing confidence at its temporary base.
It also followed Wednesday’s 1–0 victory over Bendel Insurance, giving the Flying Antelopes consecutive league wins without conceding.
Chimezie Delivers First-Half Breakthrough
Rangers secured the decisive advantage five minutes before halftime.
Chimezie found the net in the 40th minute, putting the home side ahead in a closely contested Matchday 12 encounter.
Kwara United returned after the interval searching for an equaliser, but Rangers maintained their advantage.
The visitors came close to changing the result when Jerry Alex had an effort disallowed during the second half.
The reason for the decision has not been independently established.
Alex, who previously played for Rangers, expressed disappointment that his effort did not count.
Despite Kwara United’s attempts to recover, Rangers protected their narrow lead until the final whistle.
Rangers Find Winning Formula in Awka
Rangers’ latest victory highlights their ability to secure results away from their traditional Enugu home.
The Flying Antelopes have been staging home fixtures at Awka Township Stadium, where they have now recorded three consecutive victories since returning to the venue.
That sequence has provided important momentum in a competitive NPFL title race.
Following Sunday’s match, Ilechukwu acknowledged the support his team had received in Anambra State.
The Rangers coach said the results demonstrated that his side could feel at home away from its traditional base.
He also praised Kwara United’s resilience while commending his players for securing the victory.
Rangers Maintain Three-Point Lead
The result kept Rangers at the summit of the NPFL standings with 24 points from 11 matches, according to independently published Matchday 12 tables.
Bendel Insurance occupied second place with 21 points from 12 matches following their 2–1 victory over Niger Tornadoes.
Rangers therefore held a three-point advantage while having played one match fewer than their nearest challengers.
Although the campaign remains in its early stages, the Flying Antelopes have established a promising platform through consistent results.
Their latest two league victories have delivered six points, two goals and two clean sheets.
Kwara United Left Frustrated
For Kwara United, the defeat represented another missed opportunity to improve their position in the standings.
The visitors were unable to recover from Chimezie’s first-half goal, while Alex’s disallowed effort added to their frustration.
The result leaves the Ilorin-based club facing further pressure to improve its performances as the season progresses.
What Comes Next?
Rangers are scheduled to face Niger Tornadoes on Sunday, 15 November.
The fixture offers another opportunity to consolidate their position in the title race.
For Ilechukwu and his players, the immediate challenge will be maintaining the consistency that has made their temporary home in Awka an increasingly productive venue.
Final score: Rangers International 1–0 Kwara United.
