In a move that underscores the growing export value of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Rangers International has officially sanctioned the departure of versatile left-back Evans Ogbonda to Zambian heavyweights Power Dynamos.
The “Flying Antelopes” confirmed the permanent transfer on Tuesday, marking the end of Ogbonda’s impactful, albeit brief, tenure at the Cathedral. While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, Rangers’ management has played a masterstroke in the negotiations, securing a 40% sell-on clause. This strategic inclusion ensures that the Enugu-based club remains a stakeholder in the 23-year-old’s future upward trajectory.
Ogbonda, who arrived at Rangers with a reputation for defensive discipline and attacking flair, was a vital cog in the team’s machine this season. Known for his ability to seamlessly transition from a traditional left-back to an advanced winger, he featured 14 times for Rangers in the current campaign, providing four crucial assists.
His departure leaves a void in the Flying Antelopes’ backline, but the club’s statement reflected pride rather than regret:
“This move marks an important milestone in Evans’ career. We are proud to see him take the next step with one of Southern Africa’s most respected clubs.”
The Zambian Mission
For Power Dynamos, the acquisition of the former Nigeria U23 international is a statement of intent. The Kitwe-based side, currently competing on the continental stage in the CAF Champions League, has struggled for goals and creative output from the flanks.
Head coach Osward Mutapa has been vocal about his team’s need for clinical finishing and better service from the wide areas. By bringing in Ogbonda—a player seasoned in the physical rigors of the NPFL and familiar with the pressures of continental football—the “Aba Yellow” hope to stabilize their Group A campaign and inject much-needed dynamism into their transition play.
The NPFL Talent Pipeline
Ogbonda’s move is part of a widening trend of Nigerian talent looking toward the Zambian Super League as a viable stepping stone. He joins fellow Nigerian Samuel Ayodeji Bamidele at the Arthur Davies Stadium, further strengthening the West African influence in Kitwe.
As Ogbonda trades the rolling hills of Enugu for the industrial heartland of Zambia’s Copperbelt, he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism. For Rangers, the focus now shifts to how they will reinvest their windfall to maintain their title charge; for Ogbonda, the journey to becoming a household name in Southern Africa begins now.
