Ilechukwu to decide on Rangers future after Unity Cup

Fidelis Ilechukwu says he will decide if he will stay as coach of Enugu Rangers after he returns from Unity Cup duties with the Super Eagles in London, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Ilechukwu led Rangers to the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League title on Sunday. They won 2-1 against Ikorodu City in Lagos. He flew to London after the match to join coach Eric Chelle in defending the Unity Cup title they won in 2025.

Rangers needed to win to stay ahead of Rivers United F.C., who beat Katsina United F.C. 3-0 in Port Harcourt. Rangers finished the season with 68 points, just one point ahead of Rivers United.

This was Ilechukwu’s second league title with Rangers in three seasons. It is also the club's ninth NPFL crown, making them equal with Enyimba F.C. as the most successful club in league history.

Ilechukwu’s contract ended at the season's close, and he admitted he is not sure about his future with the club.

“It’s something we will sit down and talk about,” Ilechukwu told Premium Times.

“Seriously, I’m not saying that I’m going to stay. I’m not saying I’m not going to stay. But when you have Amobi Ezeaku, I think you have everything. The truth is, I don’t want to work anywhere for more than two years. What I’ve done at Rangers is because of Amobi Ezeaku. It might be goodbye. It might also not be goodbye.

“After coming back from London, I will sit down and reflect on myself, every situation, everything happening around me, things I’m not okay with and things I’m okay with. Maybe yes, maybe no. That is the truth.”

Ilechukwu joined Rangers before the 2023/24 season from Plateau United F.C., where he also spent two years.

“Every coach is excited about handling a team as big as Enugu Rangers. The team is hungry for trophies, so we have to first put the house together and ensure we recruit well. When we get that right, we will be in a good place. Management has also promised that the welfare of the players will not be a problem,” Ilechukwu told PUNCH Sports Extra when he joined Rangers in 2023.

He has now led the Flying Antelopes to two league titles in three seasons in charge.