Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Sunday played out a goalless draw with newly promoted Kun Khalifat Football Club of Owerri.

The match was the day one of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The match, played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, saw the home team making incursions into the vital area of the visitors.

However, poor marksmanship and the resilience of Kun Khalifat players ensured that the flying antelopes did not get the curtain raiser.

On resumption of the second half, Rangers continued to make incursions into the opponent’s area but failed to make any impact.

The visitors also came close to scoring on two, three occasions but did not get the cutting raiser thereby ending the match on a barren draw.

The Owerri-based team just got promoted to the NPFL last season.

Speaking at the post-match news conference, Coach of Rangers, Fidelis Illechukwu, said that the team would blend with time.

He said, “This is just the first match, and I am optimistic that when we play five, six games, we will get to where we want to be.’’

On his part, Coach of Kun Khalifat FC, Obinna Uzoho, praised his team for playing to instructions.

Mr Uzobo said, “My team played to instructions, and I am happy for the boys.’’

(NAN)