Enugu Rangers are on the verge of clinching the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title for the first time in 32 years.
The Flying Antelopes who currently lead the NPFL standings with 60 points, are in need of just a draw in their final league game against El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu on Sunday.
Their closest rival, Rivers United, are three points adrift and must win at Akwa United to stand any chance of an upset.
Thirty-two years is such a long time and many things have changed since the five-time Federation Cup winners last tasted domestic success.
Here, we cast our minds back to how some notable things were back then when Rangers won their sixth and last title.
- N6 to 1dollar
Back when Rangers won their last title in 1984, one US Dollar was equivalent to six Nigerian Naira. However, this has changed drastically with the Naira depreciating to almost 500 to a Dollar.
- Population was 81m
Nigeria had an estimated population of around 81 million back in 1984. There’s however a remarkable increase 32 years after as the country is now twice that figure.
- Volkswagen Beetle was so on point
As a young man in the 80s, owning a Volkswagen Beetle was certainly the big deal. Today, that model has since gone into extinction – replaced by modern and more sophisticated cars.
- Christian Chukwu was coach
Ex-Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, was at the helms of affair when the Flying Antelopes last won the league. He is presently the technical director of the club.
- No current Super Eagles player was born
No member of the current crop of Super Eagles was born when Rangers won the league. The team is predominantly made up of players born in the 90s with the exception of Mikel John Obi, Carl Ikeme and Efe Ambrose who were all born in the late 80s.
- Enugu was the capital of Anambra
Enugu was the capital of Anambra State back in 1984 when Rangers conquered the country. It however became a state in 1991.
- Trending artistes were Sunny Okosuns and Osita Osadebe
So many musical artistes dominated the 80s but just two managed to drop powerful singles in 1984. ‘Which Way Nigeria’ by Sunny Okosuns and Osita Osadebe’s ‘Osondi Owendi’ were simply exceptional and are still on demand till date
- The New Masquerade dominated TV screens
The popular comedy series The New Masquerade took over our screens same year Rangers clinched their last league title. The programme was aired on the Nigerian Television Network on Monday nights from 8:30pm – 9:30pm.
- Tales by Moonlight debuted
Tales by Moonlight, a television programme that narrates traditional African folklore, was one that couldn’t be missed. The programme which evolved across several generations, debuted same year Rangers last won the league title.
- Buhari was head of state
President Muhammadu Buhari was Nigeria’s military ruler back in 1984. Can the Flying Antelopes repeat that feat with Buhari now the democratically elected president?
