Enugu Rangers are best placed to end a 32-year wait for a major trophy by clinching this season’s Nigeria league title as they will most likely maintain their leadership till the final match next month.
They will finish top of the 19-team championship with 63 points.
Rivers United look set to finish as runners-up on 60 points with Wikki Tourists and Enyimba recording 59 and the Bauchi club shading it on goals difference.
The third place will thus earn Wikki a CAF Confederation Cup ticket next year after they lost that spot to Nasarawa United last season on goals’ difference.
Defending champions Enyimba will therefore miss out on a top-3 finish meaning they will need to win the Federation Cup to play international football next year, while millionaires FC IfeanyiUbah will again fall short of a top finish.
Our league expert KOLA DANIEL does the permutations that will install Rangers as champions -
ENUGU RANGERS Total points 63 CHAMPIONS
‘The Flying Antelopes’ are top of the standings on 54 points from 32 matches.
They have two home games and two away games till the end of the campaign.
Vs Shooting Stars (Away) Loss
They face perennial rivals Shooting Stars in Ibadan and could lose to a determined team who are desperate to stay clear of relegation.
Vs Sunshine Stars (Home) Win
They will then host ‘Akure Gunners’ in a dicey tie, but they will be hot bets to win in front of an expectant home crowd.
Vs Ikorodu United (Away) Win
Rangers will record their xxth away win of the season at the expense of already doomed Ikorodu United in Abeokuta.
Vs El Kanemi Warriors (Home) Win
They will celebrate their coronation of Nigeria champions with another win at their home ground now affectionately nicknamed ‘The Cathedral’.
RIVERS UNITED TOTAL POINTS 60 RUNNERS-UP
The merger of Dolphins and relegated Sharks has proved a huge success and that means Rivers United will finish closely behind the champions in second place.
Vs Warri Wolves (Home) Win
They will record the double over relegation-threatened Warri Wolves after they won the reverse fixture away.
Vs Wikki Tourists (Away) Draw
The outcome of this tie will be the difference between runners-up and the third-placed team and the Port Harcourt are expected to double up to get a crucial point in Bauchi.
Vs Abia Warriors (Home) Win
They will underline a successful campaign with victory at home and book their place in the 2017 CAF Champions League as runners-up.
Vs Akwa United (Away) Loss
A loss at Akwa United will not stop them from finishing as runners-up.
WIKKI TOURISTS TOTAL POINTS 59 THIRD
The Bauchi club have proved to be one surprise clubs this season despite lack of support from the state government.
They have four matches to play – two home and two away games.
Vs Nasarawa United (Away) Draw
They are decent travelers and so look good to hold hosts Nasarawa United in Makurdi.
Vs Rivers United (Home) Draw
They are likely to drop two points in front of their fans against fellow title chasers Rivers United.
Vs Shooting Stars (Away) Draw
The coach Abdu Maikaba will pick another precious point on the road against Shooting Stars.
Vs Sunshine Stars (Home) Win
They will wrap up a splendid season in style with victory over visiting Sunshine Stars to finish third on the table on 59 points.
ENYIMBA TOTAL POINTS 59 FOURTH
The champions have five matches to play till the end of the season, a game more than the other title front runners.
Vs Niger Tornadoes (Away) Draw
They will pick up a draw in Lokoja against Niger Tornadoes.
Vs Ikorodu United (Away) Win
The champions will then win a rescheduled game at relegated Ikorodu United.
Vs MFM (Home) Win
They have enough class and depth to outscore another Lagos club MFM FC for a second straight win.
Vs IfeanyiUbah (Away) Win
Enyimba will sustain their title push with yet another victory at title-chasing FC IfeanyiUbah in an ‘Oriental Derby’.
Vs Abia Warriors (Away) Loss
Local rivals Abia Warriors loo good to win this rescheduled game to enhance their chances of escaping relegation.
FC IFEANYIUBAH TOTAL POINTS 54 FIFTH
‘The Anambra Warriors’ may have enjoyed some favourable rulings from the authorities but unfortunately the biggest spenders in the league will finish empty handed in fifth place on the table this season..
Vs Akwa United (Home) Win
They will surely beat Akwa United on Saturday to take their points tally to 53.
Vs Lobi Stars (Away) Draw
They will do well to hold Lobi Stars to a draw in Makurdi the following week.
Vs Enyimba (Home) Loss
A testy ‘Oriental Derby’ which will attract a lot of spotlight and so a level-playing field will allow Enyimba pick another victory
Vs MFM (Away) Loss
?Lagos club MFM FC will spill the last drop of blood to ensure they win this match so as not to make a prompt return to the lower league.