Doris Ewoh, Enugu
Rangers International Football Club has secured a fashion apparel and manufacturing partnership with Nzapi Fashion Brand to produce rebranded shirts, face caps, and costumes for the club and its supporters, aimed at boosting the club’s revenue.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place on Monday, January 12, 2025, at the Rangers FC office in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Enugu, with officials from Nzapi Fashion Brand in attendance.
The General Manager of Rangers FC, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, describing Nzapi as “a fashion and apparel design and manufacturing company that understands not just fashion but culture, identity, and storytelling.”
On the identity of Rangers and the significance of the collaboration, Ezeaku said:
“We are not just a football club. We are history, pride, resilience, and a symbol that cuts across generations since our establishment in 1970. This partnership is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: Rangers must look like where we are going. With Nzapi, we are committing to merchandise that speaks to the younger generation, who see Rangers not only on the pitch but as a lifestyle brand.
“And then the older generation, who carry the memories, values, and legacy of this great club. The merchandise going forward will not just be worn – it will be felt. It will tell stories of tradition, stories of excellence, and modern ambition.”
Ezeaku also described the partnership as a strategic business decision, noting that merchandising is key to financial sustainability in modern football.
“Our vision is clear: to professionalize Rangers…to expand availability locally and internationally, creating products that fans are proud to own, wear, and pass on. We are deliberately building Rangers into a self-sustaining institution, where football success is supported by strong commercial foundations like Nzapi.”
Expressing gratitude to Nzapi and the supporters, he added:
“From us to Nzapi, we say thank you for believing in this vision and for choosing to grow with us. It is a partnership built on shared values and long-term ambition. And of course, to our fans, whom we will see on Wednesday, being Matchday: this partnership is for you. It’s for your pride. It’s for your identity. It’s for your connection to Rangers and the Rangers movement.
Our Correspondent reports that the Creative Lead of Nzapi, Mr. Odinaka Ugwuozor, said the partnership symbolizes storytelling through apparel, noting that Rangers represents more than football. He described Rangers as “not just a football club but a carrier of the history of a particular region.”
“This isn’t just about a collaboration with Rangers, but a way of promoting what we are deeply rooted in. This is a signal of intent and our commitment to helping drive something that is deeply rooted in our culture. This is beyond us. Rangers will outlive us. Nzapi will outlive us. And this is our commitment to ensuring that this is perpetually structured. That’s the idea.”