There is a five horse race to survive the relegation with two certainly to drop to the lower league, in what should be an interesting battle, TUNDE LIADI here predict the likely outcome at the lower end of the table as well as the battle for slots for CAF inter club competitions.
With the race for the three teams to represent Nigeria in the CAF Inter club championships already settled, attention will shift to the lower part of the league where five teams are still in the battle to avoid the drop to the second tier, Nigeria National League (NNL).
Sunshine Stars confirmed their relegation ticket in the last game against Niger Tornadoes whom they lost to 2-1 in Ijebu Ode while Lobi Stars’ lower league place had been long sealed.
Niger Tornadoes (48pts), Katsina United (47pts), El Kanemi Warriors (46pts), Heartland (45pts) and Akwa United (44pts) are all locked in fisticuffs for the remaining two slots to the lower league.
The star game of the weekend fixtures should have been Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors clash had Remo Stars not beaten the Oga Boys on their coronation day but that defeat meant Abia Warriors cannot finish lower than the third spot even if Ikorodu City beat them by cricket goals tomorrow in Lagos.
But a win will ensure Nurudeen Aweroro’s boys lock the fourth spot while a draw could open the way for Enyimba to leapfrog them if they beat Plateau United in Aba also on Sunday.
With that settled, Heartland versus Akwa United tie should be next in line for the game of the week with both teams in the 17th and 18th spots in the table going into the final fixtures of the season.
Heartland must beat Akwa United while hoping that either of Tornadoes, Katsina United and El Kanemi Warriors falter in their home games with Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Sunshine Stars to open an escape route for them.
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For the Promise Keepers, they must beat Heartland in Owerri and also pray that Katsina United is beaten at home and El Kanemi Warriors is held by already relegated Sunshine Stars in Maiduguri.
Katsina United was thrashed 4-0 by Rangers International FC but they must beat Kwara United to ensure they are safe from relegation but a draw could be fatal especially if Heartland secure a home win against Akwa United.
Lobi Stars will host fifth spot Bendel Insurance in an inconsequential game while second placed Rivers United with 61 points will seal CAF Champions League ticket with a win at home to Nasarawa United. But Abia Warriors may usurp them to the ticket if Finidi George’s boys fail to beat the Solid Miners and Umuchineke Boys steal a win in Lagos against Ikorodu City.
Tornadoes versus Kano Pillars is another top drawer but Ikon Allah Boys had most of their worries settled when they beat Sunshine Stars and will go into the fixture knowing that a draw against Sai Masu Gida will just be enough to grant them Premier league safety.
Bayelsa United will lock horns with Remo Stars in another game that will offer little to both teams positions in the league table while Shooting Stars will hope to end the season with a flourish when they host Rangers International FC who are the deposed league champions.
Enyimba will host Plateau United in Aba with a guarantee to finish above the sixth spot if results from other centres favour them.