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Rangers International’s dream season hit another high on Wednesday night as head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and captain Chidiebere Nwobodo headlined the club’s dominance at the 2026 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) in Lagos.
Fresh from a campaign that re-established the Enugu club as a major force in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Rangers swept through the awards ceremony at The Cordis Hotel, Ikeja, claiming some of the biggest honours of the night.
Ilechukwu was named Coach of the Season, while Nwobodo walked away with the biggest individual prize, Player of the Season, after a commanding campaign at the heart of Rangers’ title charge.
The Flying Antelopes also picked up the Club of the Season award, with defender Chidozie Iwundu emerging Defender of the Season and striker Godwin Obaje, who scored 14 goals, earning the joint Top Scorer prize.
It was a night that underlined Rangers’ superiority across the league, with five of their players named in the Team of the Season; Nwobodo, Obaje, Iwundu, Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke.
Oputa and Igboke excelled at the Unity Cup, in London with the National team.
Ilechukwu’s latest triumph makes it two League Bloggers Awards in three years for the highly-rated tactician, who was absent from the ceremony as he is currently in Scotland for his UEFA B Coaching Badge programme.
There was further recognition for the club’s impressive season as Oputa and Igboke were also among the standout names on the night.
Rangers’ dominance was particularly evident in the Defender of the Season category, where Iwundu, Oputa and Igboke all earned nominations, with Rivers United’s Bolu Sholumade the only player outside the Enugu club in the shortlist.
Beyond the individual honours, the club’s off-pitch progress also came into focus as Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, received the inaugural LBA Legacy Award for Governors in recognition of his backing for Rangers’ growth, both competitively and commercially.
Governor Mbah was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu.
Other players named in the Team of the Season were Micheal Atata (Ikorodu City), Bolu Sholumade (Rivers United), Jonathan Mairiga (Wikki Tourists), Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), Joseph Arumala (Ikorodu City) and Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars).
For Rangers, it was the perfect ending to a remarkable campaign as a night of silverware, recognition and fresh proof that the Flying Antelopes are back among Nigerian football’s elite.
In other categories, Bendel Insurance’s Alex Oweilayefa was named Best Young Player, Ikorodu City’s Atata emerged Goalkeeper of the Season, Barau’s Joseph Atule won the Goal of the Season award, while Junior was Midfielder of the Season.
ALL THE WINNERS:
LBA LEGACY AWARDS: Governor Category
His Excellency, Governor P. N Mbah – Executive Governor Enugu State
LBA LEGACY AWARD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Hon. Kunle Soname: Chairman, Remo Stars Sports Club
LBA LEGACY AWARDS: NPFL Stars
Ahmed Musa – Kano Pillars
Rabiu Ali – Kano Pillars
LBA LEGACY AWARD: Former Player
Davidson Owumi – First officially recognised top scorer in the Nigerian League – Old Division One League (Sharks FC – 1985)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – BRAND SPONSORSHIP
BETKING – Ikorodu City FC
AFRINVEST – Rangers International FC
Eunisell – Abia Warriors FC
bet9ja – Remo Stars FC
SPONSORSHIP INNOVATION
Ikorodu City FC
PLAYERS/COACHES/CLUBS
NNL CLUB OF THE SEASON
Sporting Lagos FC
NNL COACH OF THE SEASON
Jeffery Buter
Sporting Lagos FC
NPFL
BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Alex Oweilayefa – Bendel Insurance FC (19 years)
GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON
Michael Atata – Ikorodu City FC
BEST NEWLY PROMOTED TEAM
Barau FC
DEFENDER OF THE SEASON
Chidozie Iwundu – Rangers International FC
MIDFIELDER OF THE SEASON
Ayobami Junior – Shooting Stars Sports Club
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Joseph Atule – Barau FC
Barau FC vs El-Kanemi Warriors
HIGHEST GOAL SCORERS – 14 Goals
Victor Mbaoma – Remo Stars
Godwin Obaje – Rangers
Jonathan Mairiga – Wikki Tourists
LBA SPECIAL RECOGNITION – COACH/CLUB
Obinna Uzoha – Kun Khalifat FC
CLUB OF THE SEASON
Rangers International FC
COACH OF THE SEASON
Fidelis Ilechukwu – Rangers International FC
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Chidiebere Nwobodo – Rangers International FC
LBA TEAM OF THE SEASON: 4-4-2
Gk: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City FC)
Chibueze Oputa (Rangers), Bolu Sholumade (Rives United), Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers)
Obinna Nwobodo (Rangers), Jonathan Mairiga (Wikki) Ayobami Junior (3SC), Joseph Arumala (Ikorodu City)
Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), Godwin Obaje (Rangers)
COACH: Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers International FC)
