Iwundu’s Late Double Seals Dramatic Rangers Win in NPFL Oriental Derby

Enugu Rangers secured a dramatic 2–1 away victory over Kun Khalifat FC in an NPFL Oriental Derby at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Monday, thanks to a late second‑half brace from defender Chidozie Iwundu.

Rangers took the lead just before halftime when Iwundu rose highest to head home from a set‑piece, giving the Flying Antelopes a crucial advantage at the break. The centre‑back has impressed this season with an exceptional goal return for a defender.

Kun Khalifat rallied in the 87th minute when James Ekebuike drew the hosts level, threatening to snatch a point. But Rangers showed resilience and belief as Iwundu struck deep into stoppage time to deliver the dramatic winner and seal all three points for the visitors.

The brace took Iwundu’s tally to seven goals for the season, underlining his importance not just at the back but also as a scoring threat. The win lifts Rangers up the NPFL standings as they continue their bid for a strong finish to the 2025/26 campaign.

EDITORIAL

Football thrives on moments that redefine expectation, where a game once drifting toward routine erupts into drama in its final breath. Such was the script in Owerri, where Chidozie Iwundu’s late double transformed the narrative of Rangers’ Oriental Derby against Kun Khalifat FC a tale that might have been written in the heat of battle rather than the comfort of predictability.

Iwu ndu’s first strike, a towering header just before halftime, was emblematic of his unique impact this season. In a league often characterised by narrow margins and tactical tightness, his ability to influence results from centre‑back — traditionally football’s most defensive role introduces a rare dimension to Rangers’ play. Defenders who score with consistency are anomalies when they do so with this degree of timing and decisiveness, they elevate more than just scorelines. They elevate their teams.

Yet football is as much about response as initiative. Kun Khalifat’s late equaliser injected uncertainty back into the contest, threatening to deflate Rangers’ rhythm and hand momentum to the hosts. It was a reminder that in the NPFL’s rugged terrain, matches are seldom decided until the final whistle. And yet, it was precisely in those dying moments that Rangers reaffirmed their character.

Iwu ndu’s stoppage‑time winner was not merely a goal it was a statement of resilience. It spoke of a team that refuses to settle for parity and an individual unafraid to seize decisive moments. In a league as competitive and unpredictable as the NPFL, victories of this nature do more than add points they build belief.

As Rangers climb the table and sharpen their push toward continental contention, it is these late‑game exploits born of tactical discipline, collective spirit and moments of individual brilliance that will define their season. Football may be measured in goals, but it is experienced in moments like this.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Chidozie Iwundu has scored seven league goals this season, making him not only Rangers’ top scorer but also the NPFL’s highest‑scoring defender.
2. Iwundu’s brace came on Matchday 21 of the 2025/26 NPFL season, a crucial period as clubs jostle for position in the title and continental qualification races.
3. Kun Khalifat FC remain at the bottom of the NPFL table, with the defeat deepening their relegation battle this season.
4. This was only Rangers’ second away win of the campaign, highlighting the difficulty of turning trips into points in the NPFL.
5. The victory moved Rangers into the top five of the NPFL standings, strengthening their hopes for a strong finish to the season.