NPFL: Rangers pick Abeokuta as temporary home ground

File: Rangers International

Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International have picked the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta as their temporary home ground and will begin their title defence at the venue against Katsina United on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The decision is understood to be due to ongoing renovations at the club’s stadium in Enugu, while the move will also give the Flying Antelopes an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the turf ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round clash against Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap in September.

Rangers and Shooting Stars have selected the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as their home venue for their respective CAF inter-club competition fixtures.

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Rangers had earlier reached an agreement with Remo Stars to use the club’s stadium in Ikenne for their CAF Champions League preliminary-round campaign. However, following further consultations with the technical crew led by head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, the Enugu club opted for the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

The Flying Antelopes secured their ninth NPFL title in May after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos on the final day of the 2025/26 season.

Their continental campaign is scheduled to begin with the preliminary rounds in September, with the clubs needing to negotiate the qualifying stages before reaching the group phase.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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