Ilechukwu, Nwobodo lead Rangers’ sweep at 2026 League Bloggers Awards 

Ilechukwu, Nwobodo lead Rangers’ sweep at 2026 League Bloggers Awards 

Rangers International’s dream season hit another high 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.