Rangers International Football Club are in advanced discussions to adopt the Awka City Stadium in Anambra State as their temporary home for the upcoming 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, Athletic NG has learned.
The move comes as their traditional home, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium also known as the Cathedral is set to undergo major renovation ahead of Enugu State’s hosting of the 23rd National Sports Festival in 2026.
Though no official announcement has been made by the club, a source at the club confirmed that discussion is on because the club wants everything covered as renovation of the stadium might kick in at any time.
The decision to temporarily relocate follows the state government’s commitment to upgrade sporting infrastructure in preparation for the Coal City Games 2026.
During the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) last month, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports and LOC Chairman, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu, revealed plans for extensive facility improvements.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium will be comprehensively revamped to a level that will make it almost unrecognisable,” Ekweremadu said.
Renovation works are expected to affect Rangers’ ability to host home fixtures in Enugu throughout the NPFL season.
This would not be the first time the Flying Antelopes have used Awka as a base. During the 2021/2022 season, the club played a portion of their matches at Awka City Stadium, following a brief and difficult stint at FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi.
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That season, Rangers finished 5th with 15 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses under then-coach Abdul Maikaba.
However, the next campaign saw Rangers struggle in the abridged 2022/2023 season, narrowly escaping relegation in Group B and suffering heartbreak in the Federation Cup final, losing to Bendel Insurance.
The downturn led to the departure of Maikaba and the arrival of Fidelis Ilechukwu, who guided the team to a stunning comeback.
Under Ilechukwu’s leadership, and after returning to their Enugu base, Rangers claimed the 2023/2024 NPFL title their eighth league championship with a game to spare after defeating Bendel Insurance.
Mixed Results and New Ambitions
The 2024/2025 season brought more modest results, with Rangers finishing 10th, recording 14 wins, 10 draws, and 14 losses for 52 points.
They also reached the semi-finals of the 2025 President Federation Cup, where they were edged out by eventual champions Kwara United.
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General Manager and CEO Barrister Amobi Ezeaku has maintained high expectations for the club’s future. In a recent interview with Athletic NG, he affirmed:
“We are confident that we will win our ninth Nigeria Premier Football League title in the 2025/2026 season.”
