Eight-time Nigeria league champions Rangers International FC have stormed Kano with confidence as they prepare to take on Kano Pillars FC in a fierce NPFL 2025/26 matchday 4 encounter. The tie, set for Sunday, September 14 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, promises more than three points it is about pride and redemption.
Last season, Pillars stunned the “Flying Antelopes” with a double, and Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men are intent on payback. Rangers’ Chief Coach, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, admitted respect for their rivals but stressed the team’s determination: “We are going to Kano to do our best and hope to come out with a positive result… when we take a retrospective view of what happened last season, we are fired up to get the maximum points at stake.”
Assistant captain Evans Ogbonda echoed the sentiment, praising Pillars’ quality but underlining Rangers’ resolve: “We expect a tough encounter, but that is not our concern. We are motivated to get a very good result in Kano just as they did over us last season in Enugu.”
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Rangers currently sit 11th in the standings with four points from three matches, while Pillars languish in 18th place, yet to secure a victory. Coached by Evans Ogenyi, the Kano side are desperate to ignite their campaign with their first win of the season.
With revenge, pride, and vital league points at stake, the stage is set for a captivating battle in Kano.
Editorial
We view this clash between Rangers and Pillars as one of those fixtures that defines the character of the NPFL. The rivalry carries weight, and this particular meeting has the makings of a pivotal contest. Rangers’ hunger for revenge after last season’s double defeat will drive their intensity, while Pillars’ desperation for a first win could fuel an all-or-nothing approach.
We believe that for Rangers, this is not just about settling old scores but also about asserting themselves as genuine contenders in the league. To win in Kano, in front of a partisan crowd, would send a powerful message to the rest of the NPFL. The team’s cautious confidence suggests they understand the fine balance between respect and ambition.
We also consider the psychological strain on Pillars. With one point from three matches, the pressure of expectation at home could either galvanise them or deepen their struggles. This is the kind of match where one early mistake or moment of brilliance could tilt the entire narrative of their season.
We hold that this game represents more than a league fixture; it is a clash of pride, resilience, and ambition. Whoever emerges victorious will not just earn three points they will seize the momentum that could shape their campaign going forward.
Did You Know?
- Rangers International FC were the first Nigerian club to win a continental trophy, lifting the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.
- Kano Pillars boast one of the largest fanbases in Nigeria, often filling the Sani Abacha Stadium to capacity.
- Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu earned the nickname “Working One” for his dynamic tactical style during his time at MFM FC.
- Rangers’ home ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, is fondly called “The Cathedral” by fans.
- Kano Pillars won three consecutive NPFL titles between 2012 and 2014, a rare achievement in Nigerian football.
