Rangers Abandon Enugu, Pick Abeokuta As Temporary Home For NPFL Title Defence

NPFL champions Rangers International will begin their title defence away from Enugu, with the club choosing the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as its temporary home venue.

According to Ireporter Online, the Flying Antelopes will host Katsina United at the Abeokuta stadium on Sunday in their opening league fixture as they begin the quest to retain the Nigerian Premier Football League title.

The decision to relocate from Enugu was necessitated by ongoing renovation work at the club’s regular home ground. The temporary move is also expected to help the team become familiar with the Abeokuta playing surface ahead of its CAF Champions League campaign.

Rangers are scheduled to face Benin Republic side AS Sobemap in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League in September, making the opportunity to adapt to their temporary home ground particularly important.

The Enugu club had initially planned to use the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne for its continental fixtures after reaching an agreement with the club. However, the arrangement was later reviewed following consultations between Rangers’ management and head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his technical team.

The club subsequently settled on the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta as its temporary base.

The venue is expected to have a busy football schedule, with Shooting Stars also selecting the Abeokuta stadium for their CAF inter-club competition matches.

Rangers secured their ninth NPFL title in May after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos on the final day of the 2025/26 season. The Enugu side will now begin its title defence with the ambition of maintaining its domestic dominance while also preparing for its return to continental competition.