Who will join the already relegated Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United in the journey to the lower league of the Nigerian club football championships? That is the question record champions, Enyimba, defending champions, Remo Stars and Kano Pillars will answer when the last games of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) are completed next weekend.

Nine teams, which also include Kwara United, El Kanemi, Kun Khalifat, Plateau United, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves are perched precariously in the drop zone of the league with only one game to go.

Actually, only three points separate the 10th-placed Kano Pillars (48 points) from Niger Tornadoes, which occupies the 18th spot with 45 points.

Kwara United, Plateau United and El-Kanemi occupy the 11th, 12th and 13th spots respectively, albeit separated only by goals differences as they are on the same 47 points, while Enyimba (14th), Remo Stars (15th) and Warri Wolves (16th) are on 46 points.

Niger Tornadoes, in the 17th position, have 45 points, but they still have chances of survival if they defeat Shooting Stars of Ibadan in Minna, this weekend and hope that other games go their way. Victory will place them on 48 points, which could be good enough for survival if all the teams above them in the relegation zone falter. Their chances of survival are slim though.

Kwara United have good chances of beating the drop as they visit the already relegated Bayelsa United in Yenagoa. A draw could suffice for the Ilorin boys if Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Warri Wolves, Remo Stars, Enyimba and Warri Wolves fail to win their games.

ncidentally, Enyimba will battle with El-Kanemi in Aba, which means that whoever wins the game will survive the drop. But a draw will favour El-Kanemi, which will now wait for other results to find out if 48 points would be good enough to save them. For Enyimba, it is win or burst.

The same scenario awaits Plateau United and Kano Pillars as the winners will enhance their chances of survival, while defeat spells doom for the loser. On 48 points, Kano Pillars need a draw from the game to escape the drop, while Plateau United must win to be sure of survival.

Kun Khalifat, Remo Stars and Warri Wolves all need a win to survive, but of the lot, Remo Stars have the hardest task as their last game is away to Bendel Insurance of Benin. Beating the Benin Arsenal is the Ogun State side’s only hope for survival.

For Warri Wolves, the task is clear; beat Abia Warriors or drown? Playing at home, Warri Wolves could still achieve their dream of remaining in the elite division since Abia Warriors have no dog in the relegation or title battles.

While the battle for survival is one of the fiercest in recent seasons, so also is the fight for the crown between Enugu Rangers and Rivers United. Only a point separates the two frontliners, so one must falter for the other to be crowned champions.

Enugu Rangers are leading the log with 65 points, while Rivers United closely follow them in 64 points.
Rangers will be in Lagos to face Ikorodu City, while Rivers United will host Katsina United in Port Harcourt. This means that Rangers must win in Lagos, but against an Ikorodu City side chasing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup, it will take more than the will for victory to get the needed points.

A draw and a likely win for Rivers United against Katsina United will confine Rangers to the second position, with the consolation of a CAF Champions League slot.

The game involving Barau FC and Nasarawa United in Kano is just a mere formality as both teams are secure in the elite division; and at the same time will not gain any continental ticket no matter the outcome.