Enugu Rangers maintained their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season after surviving a late Kun Khalifat fightback to win 4-2 in a six-goal South East derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Igwilo Chimaobi was the decisive figure for the champions, scoring twice, including the late goal that finally ended Kun Khalifat’s hopes of completing a dramatic comeback.
Rangers had appeared in control for long periods, but the hosts repeatedly tested their resolve in a contest that swung between disciplined tactical play and end to end pressure.
The opening stages were closely contested, with both sides showing considerable organisation without the ball.
Rangers gradually began to establish greater control through their passing and movement, with their experience showing in the way they progressed possession and managed the early pressure from the hosts.
Kun Khalifat threatened around the 25th minute mark, but an effort from Usen Emmanuel went wide as the home side looked to make their territorial advantage count.
Rangers then found the breakthrough two minutes later after a Kun Khalifat defensive clearance fell into the path of Folarin Temitope, who made no mistake to put Rangers ahead in the 27th minute.
The hosts responded strongly and eventually found an equaliser in the 40th minute.
Rangers failed to deal with a Kun Khalifat corner and Preye Seikorowei rose to head the ball home, with the Rangers goalkeeper unable to keep out the effort.
The momentum, however, shifted again before half time. With Kun Khalifat attempting to build from the back, Rangers capitalised on a misplaced pass and Adebayo Waheed restored the visitors’ advantage in the 45th minute.
Rangers went into the interval 2-1 ahead after three additional minutes were played.
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The second half produced even greater drama. Kun Khalifat introduced fresh legs as they attempted to regain control, while Rangers remained disciplined in their defensive shape and looked dangerous when transitioning into attack.
The visitors extended their advantage in the 65th minute through Igwilo Chimaobi.
A flowing Rangers move culminated in a well weighted through ball that split the Kun Khalifat defence. Igwilo held his composure, rounded the goalkeeper and finished into an empty net to make it 3-1.
Meanwhile the hosts refused to disappear from the contest.
As Kun Khalifat committed more players forward, Rangers increasingly relied on their defensive organisation, with several offside decisions also cutting short promising attacks from the home side.
Then came the turning point that threatened to completely change the complexion of the derby.
Kun Khalifat’s pressure finally produced another goal in the 85th minute after a cross struck the crossbar and the ensuing bounce resulted in the officials awarding the hosts a goal.
The decision reduced the deficit to 3-2 and gave Kun Khalifat renewed belief. Aside that had spent much of the second half chasing the game, the possibility of an equaliser suddenly became very real.
Rangers, however, showed the composure required to see out the closing stages.
Kun Khalifat pushed numbers forward in search of a third goal, leaving space behind their defence, and Rangers exploited it in devastating fashion.
Igwilo completed his brace to make it 4-2, settling the contest and securing maximum points for the Flying Antelopes.
The victory continues Rangers’ unbeaten start to the campaign, with the champions now on seven points from three matches after two wins and a draw, while retaining a game in hand.
Their opening league fixture ended in a 1-1 draw against Katsina United before they defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 in their rescheduled home fixture, also played at Dan Anyiam Stadium.
Their domestic campaign has been interrupted by their CAF Champions League involvement, where they progressed to the second preliminary round after eliminating AS Sobemap on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.
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That continental assignment meant Rangers entered the Kun Khalifat encounter with only their third completed league match of the season despite the campaign having reached Matchday Four.
The defeat leaves Kun Khalifat without a victory after four matches.
The side that battled to avoid relegation last season now have two points from four matches, following two draws and two defeats, and remain 19th on the table.
They will now turn their attention to another difficult assignment away to Rivers United in Port Harcourt.
