Despite currently sitting atop the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table, Enugu Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has downplayed the team’s chances of winning the title this season.
With 54 points accumulated from 31 matches, Enugu Rangers are leading the pack, two points clear of second-placed Enyimba. Other strong contenders in the title race include Lobi Stars, Plateau United, and Remo Stars.
Having overtaken Lobi Stars to claim the top spot, Ilechukwu emphasized that winning the title is not the primary objective set by the club’s management for this season.
Speaking to 54footballx, Ilechukwu said, “I’m not thinking about the title. Enyimba, Lobi Stars, and Remo Stars are thinking about it. We have a very young team and our focus is on building the structure. Maybe next season we will talk about the title. If I’m thinking about that, I will be under pressure, and I don’t want to be under pressure because the management did not tell me about that.”
Despite this stance, Rangers have been one of the standout teams in the NPFL this season, boasting the joint-highest number of wins with 16 victories. They also enjoyed a 10-game unbeaten streak, which was recently halted by Katsina United.
Even with their impressive run, Ilechukwu insists that the team is not feeling pressured to outperform their rivals. He stated, “What we are doing is taking the game one at a time and we are positive.”
