Ilechukwu's Rangers are currently top of the table but he has acknowledged the fierce competition for the league title.
Enugu Rangers manager Fidelis Ilechukwu sees a fierce battle for the Nigerian Premier League title, comparing it to the thrilling Arsenal-Manchester City title race that went down the wire race in the English Premier League.
Following a convincing 3-0 victory against Bayelsa United, which kept his side on top, Ilechukwu maintained that no team, including Rangers, is guaranteed of lifting the NPFL title.
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The former MFM coach believes the NPFL mirrors the unpredictable nature of the English Premier League. He, however, emphasized that his team is motivated by the prospect of playing in the continent.
He said, “I don’t think there is anything else that is motivating Rangers presently. We are highly prepared for this game now, and we are motivated for this game. I am thinking of continental; I never said we will win the title. Today (Sunday), Enyimba beat Abia Warriors and Shooting Stars drew against Katsina, which means the chances are still the same, just like Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
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"Any club telling you now that they are going to win the league is joking, even Rangers. What we are going to do is to keep working hard and believing in our team. As it stands, by next week, if we don’t get points at Sporting Lagos, though I believe we will, the margin is going to be a one-point difference.”
The win against Bayelsa solidifies Rangers' top spot with 60 points after 33 matches. However, the competition remains fierce as Enyimba and Remo Stars remain close behind, trailing by just four points.
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars and Lobi Stars also have a chance of winning the league having gathered 53 and 52 points, respectively.
Rangers will travel to Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on June 1 for a date against Sporting Lagos.