Rangers International will be coronated as the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) champions for the 2023/24 season on Sunday when they clash with Gombe United at the New Jos Stadium.
The Enugu-based side secured the title last weekend when their closest challengers, Remo Stars, lost to Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Rangers' victory over Bendel Insurance in Enugu gave them an unassailable lead, clinching the title with a game to spare.
With the NPFL scheduling all games for the same time on Sunday’s final day, Doma United, who use the same stadium as already relegated Gombe United, won the lot to use the Pantami Stadium.
As Plateau United will be away at Enyimba, Gombe elected to play their ‘home’ game in Jos against the newly crowned champions.
This will be Fidelis Ilechukwu’s first NPFL title as a coach, and it will be Rangers' first league title since their triumph in 2016.
Survival battle and continental ambitions on the line on NPFL final day
In Uyo, Akwa United will aim to secure their NPFL status with a win over Rivers United. The task is straightforward: win and stay in the NPFL.
Rivers United, currently in 8th place, will miss out on continental football for the first time in four years.
Plateau United’s slim hopes of a continental slot will be tested when they travel to Aba to meet Enyimba, who also have aspirations for the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederations Cup.
Both teams drew their respective home games last weekend, with Enyimba held to a 1-1 draw by Bayelsa and Kano Pillars drawing with Plateau in Jos.
Relegation dogfight
Doma United, almost certain to be relegated from the NPFL, will face Abia Warriors. Sitting in 18th place with a -16 goal difference, they will try to go down fighting. Abia Warriors, successful in their last outing in Gombe, will be looking for another positive result.
Bendel Insurance and Bayelsa United go head to head in Benin, with Bayelsa not yet safe from relegation.
Currently in 15th place, Bayelsa must look over their shoulders with Sporting Lagos and Akwa United also fighting for safety.
A loss for Bayelsa and wins for their rivals could spell big trouble as just two points separate 14th (Niger Tornadoes) from 17th (Sporting Lagos).
Pride and final flourishes
Kano Pillars will seek to move past their President’s Cup semi-final exit when they face Lobi Stars. Both teams, with nothing but pride to play for, promise an entertaining game at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Kwara United will take on already relegated Heartland in Ilorin, hoping to end the season on a high in front of their fans.
Heartland, meanwhile, will aim to bow out of the NPFL with a strong performance as they prepare for life in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Niger Tornadoes, in fine form at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, will host Sunshine Stars. Tornadoes’ top scorer Bashir Usman aims to add to his ten goals and help his team finish the season positively.
Sunshine Stars, confident after defeating Remo Stars 2-1 last weekend, will seek to carry that form to Kaduna.
Champions League aspirations
Remo Stars, despite losing the NPFL title chase to Rangers, will aim to secure a Champions League place when they take on Katsina United in Ikenne.
With Enyimba and Shooting Stars close behind, Remo Stars need to secure points and hope their top scorer Sikiru Alimi can deliver.
In Ibadan, the match between Shooting Stars and Sporting Lagos will have high stakes. A win for Shooting Stars could edge them closer to continental football, while a victory for Sporting Lagos could lift them out of the relegation zone.
Defeat for Shooting Stars might end their continental hopes, while a loss for Sporting Lagos could mean relegation from the NPFL
As the 2023/24 NPFL season climaxes on Sunday, it will be remembered for its competitive spirit, with battles for top spots and relegation battles going down to the final day as Rangers International fans celebrate again after waiting for eight years to see the NPFL title in Enugu.
