Reigning NPFL champions Rangers have shown early signs of title defence form at the ValueJet Cup, grinding out back-to-back 1-0 wins to open their pre-season campaign.
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Rangers International have made an impressive start to their ValueJet Cup preseason campaign, securing back to back 1-0 victories over Inter Lagos and Doma United to underline their readiness ahead of the new NPFL season.
The Flying Antelopes opened their campaign with a hard fought win over Inter Lagos, with Folarin Temitope producing the decisive moment through a well taken strike that handed Rangers a winning start. The result also offered an early look at the team’s defensive organisation, with Rangers successfully protecting their lead until the final whistle.
Enugu’s finest followed that up with another narrow win, this time beating Doma United 1-0, with Ikechukwu Mgbemena stepping up as the match-winner to complete an ideal opening sequence at the tournament. Two matches, two wins and two clean sheets have given Rangers six points and put them right in the mix near the top of the ValueJet Cup standings, with Sporting Lagos currently leading the table after their own opening day win over hosts Remo Stars. Fans following the ValueJet Cup can check Bet9ja’s current promo code as the tournament continues through the week.
The timing of this form matters given what’s coming next. Rangers head into the new season as reigning NPFL champions after winning a record ninth league title in 2025/26, and they’ll open their competitive title defence against Katsina United when the new campaign kicks off between August 28 and 30. Grinding out results while keeping clean sheets in preseason is exactly the kind of foundation a title holding side wants heading into a demanding new campaign. New Bet9ja users following the NPFL champions can check how to get the Bet9ja promotion code before the season gets underway.
Preseason results are never the ultimate measure of readiness, but Rangers’ performances suggest a side already building the confidence and cohesion needed at the right time of year. The contributions of Temitope and Mgbemena also offer encouraging early signs in attack, with both players stepping up to deliver decisive goals when their team needed them most.
The tournament itself carries extra significance this year, being dedicated to the memory of Otunba Tade Azeez, the ValueJet Cup’s late chairman, who oversaw the competition’s growth since its launch in 2022. Punters following the pre-season standings can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code as Rangers look to maintain their momentum through the rest of the week.
For Rangers, the message from the opening two fixtures is clear the Flying Antelopes have started strongly, and the challenge now is turning that promising preseason form into sustained performances once the stakes rise with the new NPFL campaign.
📌 Did You Know?
- Rangers are the reigning NPFL champions, having won a record ninth league title in the 2025/26 season.
- Rangers begin their competitive title defence against Katsina United when the new NPFL season kicks off between August 28 and 30.
- Sporting Lagos currently lead the ValueJet Cup standings after their own 3-1 win over hosts Remo Stars on the opening day.
- Ikorodu City were the most recent ValueJet Cup champions, winning the trophy last year ahead of Kwara United, Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, Rivers United and Remo Stars.
- Rangers are nicknamed the Flying Antelopes and are based in Enugu.
- The 2026 ValueJet Cup is being dedicated to the memory of Otunba Tade Azeez, the competition’s late chairman.
- Doma United, one of Rangers’ preseason opponents, are newly promoted to the NPFL themselves after topping their NNL conference last season.
