NPFL champions make U-turn, to retain all 25 players

Rangers International FC of Enugu on Tuesday revealed that it would be retaining all its 25 players that won the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers had two weeks ago said that it would be off-loading some of its players.

NAN also reports that the club said it would inject some foreign players to reposition it for the task of the 2016/2017 football season.

Rangers’ Media Manager, Foster Chime, told NAN in Enugu that the club’s management made the U-turn after seeing that none of the players wanted to leave the club.

“None of the 25 players of our club have left for another club as expected.

“Rather, they have all come to agreement with the club’s management to stay for the 2016/2017 football season.

“The management graciously gave consent to their request to stay looking back at their commitment that led to the winning of the 2015/2016 NPFL,’’ he said.

Chime said that the club’s ongoing pre-season camp had been hitch-free, adding that it had entered its 14 day so far.

NAN reports that the Flying Antelopes camping will end before the commencement of the Super 4 Football Tournament on Dec. 7, and its first match in 2016/2017 Confederation of African Football Champions League.

The club will also defend its 2015/2016 NPFL title and participate in the 2016/2017 Federation Cup.