There will be everything to play for on Sunday, when the Nigeria league season ends – the championship, continental tickets as well as the two other clubs to go down to the lower league with Ikorodu United and Giwa FC.
Rangers are top of the table on 60 points from 35 matches, three points clear of closest rivals Rivers United.
‘The Flying Antelope’ have not won a major trophy in 32 years and all that will be forgotten nd forgiven should they avoid defeat at home against El Kanemi Warriors, whose premier league status is guaranteed for next season.
Second-placed Rivers United will hope to finish as runners-up, but after they failed to beat Abia Warriors last weekend at home, they have thrown wide open the chance to feature in next year’s CAF Champions League.
FC IfeanyiUbah, on 56 points, and Wikki Tourists, who have recorded 54 points, are still in with a good chance of toppling the Port Harcourt outfit, a merger of Sharks FC and Dolphins.
Poor travelers Rivers have not scored a goal in 10 straight away games and they will be on the road to Akwa United, who have also seal their place in thetop league come next season.
A loss in Uyo will open the door for both IfeanyiUbah and Wikki to snatch continental football next year.
Wikki narrowly missed out on this when they finished fourth on goals difference last term, but a win at home against Sunshine Stars on Sunday will stand them in good stead to finally come good this time.
Sunshine Stars have 53 points and a win in Bauchi could also get them into the mix depending on results of other rivals.
The other battle is at the bottom of the table, where expelled Giwa FC and Ikorodu United have also been demoted with two other clubs to be relegated on Sunday.
Warri Wolves, Heartland, MFM FC and Abia Warriors are all not safe.
Wolves are third from bottom with 42 points and a very unhealthy goals difference of -10, MFM also have 42 points with a -5 goals difference and Heartland have 43 points with a -5 goals difference.
Abia Warriors are home to Shooting Stars, who have also secured their place in the top flight with 47 points, while Warri Wolves, who last season were battling for the championship, will also be at home against relegated Ikorodu United.
Heartland, who have never been relegated, face a Herculean task at Plateau United and MFM will hope to win at home to stop IfeanyiUbah from possibly finishing in the top-3.