Lagos – As fans of Rangers International FC of Enugu wait for Sunday’s last season game to celebrate the league’s victory, the players are optimistic that their hard work will give them the trophy.

The match against El-Kanemi Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, win or draw, Rangers will clinched the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

The club needs a draw against the visitors, currently placed 8th on the competition’s log to be crowned the title holders of the 2015/2016 league.

However, where they lose the match, it will take second placed Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt to win their match against Akwa United current on the 13th position.

Rangers will go into the game with 60 points and a goal difference of 12, while Rivers United will go into their game with 57 points and 8 goals difference.

If Rangers founded in 1970 become champions, it means that they have broken 32 years of trophy drought having won it last in 1984 during the administration of then Military Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

NAN reports that Rangers have won the NPFL six times in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984 and the Nigerian FA Cup five times in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983.

Rangers were finalists in the competition seven times 1971, 1978, 1987, 1990, 2000, 2004, 2007 and won the Nigerian Super Cup once in 2004.

One of the players, Cyril Oriaku, says the club’s ability to win the 2015/2016 NPFL is their team work.

Oriaku told NAN on Wednesday in Lagos that the support from fans and management had been tremendous.

The former Captain of the club added that motivation from the club’s Head Coach, Imama Amakapabo, was a driving force too.

“As much as the players train hard, our coach constantly motivates us, he pushes us and we listen, which is paying off now and on and off the pitch, he encourages us.

“He ensures that players are well taken care of because he believes that when salaries are paid promptly players will be encouraged to give their best.

“We worked hard for this, and we are able to achieve this result, we couldn’t have done this without the support of our fans and the management,’’ Oriaku.

On how the club intends to ensure that they represent the country well at the CAF Champions League, the defender told NAN that with same dedication the Flying Antelopes would soar.

“We will rely on hard work and dedication; there are no short cuts to success.

“We know this already and everybody in the team wants the same thing, success which makes everything easy because we have a common goal,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Rangers and Heartland FC of Owerri remain the two clubs that have never gone on relegation since the inception of the competition.

Rangers have also participated in two CAF Champions League in 2006 and 2013.

NAN reports Rangers FC play their home games at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The club has also provided the bulk of players to the then Green Eagles, including giant goalkeeper Emma Okala, skipper Christian Chukwu, Aloysius Atuegbu and Ifeanyi Onyedika.

Other former stars of Rangers include Michael Emenalo, now at Chelsea of England, Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, Onyekachi Apam, Edward Ofere and Joseph Enakarhire. (NAN)