Rangers Women head coach Favour Aneke says leading his side to promotion in their debut season is “not stress but legacy”, after guiding the Enugu-based club through an unbeaten campaign in the 2025 NWFL Nationwide League.
The Flying Antelopes Women sealed their historic rise to the NWFL Championshi, Nigeria’s second tier of women’s football following a hard-fought 1–0 win over Plateau Queens in Bwari, Abuja.
Reflecting on the journey, Aneke dismissed the notion of pressure, insisting that passion and purpose drove the team’s success.
“Young coaches pray and train for jobs. When I got one, I chose not to call it stress,” he said. “I love my job and I’m passionate about it, so it’s not stress at all.”
He revealed how he kept his young squad focused throughout the campaign.
“I just reminded them that this was an opportunity to contribute to the strong Rangers heritage,” he explained.
“It’s a story they can proudly tell their parents and children one day. To them, it’s not just about football it’s something more.”
Rangers women team. Photo Credit: Facebook
For Aneke, Rangers Women’s success represents shared pride between players, coaching crew, and fans.
“Don’t call it stress, please. An opportunity to live a legacy can’t be tagged as stress. For me, the coaching crew, and the players, it’s an honour to bring this ticket home.”
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He described the promotion as a multi-layered achievement:
“To me, it’s legacy, my name written in the state’s sports history book. To the club, it’s mission accomplished.
To the state, it’s hope for every football-loving girl child in Enugu, the South-East, and across the nation.”
Rangers women gaffer holds a UEFA C license coaching badge. Photo Credit: Aneke/Facebook
Rangers Women finished top of Group A in the NWFL Nationwide, ahead of Dreamstar Ladies, Plateau Queens, Osklean FC, and C2E Sports Academy.
The Enugu side remained unbeaten, recording emphatic wins, including a 5–1 thrashing of C2E Sports Academy and a goalless draw with Dreamstar Ladies before their decisive 1–0 victory over Plateau Queens sealed promotion.
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The triumph marks Rangers’ first-ever advancement to the NWFL Championship, reinforcing the club’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in both men’s and women’s football.
