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Rangers emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League ,NPFL, Pre-Season invitational tournament following a 1-0 victory over Plateau United in the final at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday.
Justice Akugre was the hero for Rangers, scoring the decisive goal in the 28th minute.
Akugre rose unchallenged inside the box to power home a header after a dangerous corner was delivered into the area.
Plateau United pushed for an equaliser after the break, but Rangers stood firm defensively to protect their slender advantage and secure the trophy.
Read Also:NPFL Pre-Season Invitational Tournament: Rangers, Rivers United, El-Kanemi, Others Battle In Jos
In the third-place playoff, Mighty Jets edged Katsina United 1-0 in another closely contested encounter.
Tochukwu Ibedu netted the winning goal in the 39th minute, producing a clinical finish to hand Mighty Jets victory and third position in the tournament.
The invitational tournament served as part of the participating clubs’ preparations for the 2026/27 NPFL season.
The new season will start on Friday, 27 August, with defending champions Rangers taking on Katsina United in the opening fixture.
By Adeboye Amosu
