The race for the Nigeria Premier Football League’s remaining CAF Confederation Cup ticket will go down to the final day of the season, with Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City locked in a tense battle for third place.

While Enugu Rangers and Rivers United have already secured Nigeria’s slots in next season’s CAF Champions League, the fight for the country’s lone Confederation Cup ticket remains delicately poised ahead of the decisive fixtures on May 24.

Shooting Stars currently occupy third position on the NPFL table with 60 points, holding a slim two-point advantage over fourth-placed Ikorodu City, who remain firmly in contention on 58 points.

The Ibadan-based side heads into the final round knowing that avoiding defeat away to Niger Tornadoes will be enough to secure a return to continental football next season.

Ikorodu City, however, still have a realistic chance of snatching the ticket. The Lagos club must defeat title-chasing Rangers while hoping Shooting Stars fail to win against Niger Tornadoes in order to leapfrog the Oluyole Warriors into third place.

Their showdown against Rangers is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the final day, with both clubs chasing major ambitions. While Rangers are battling to secure the NPFL title, Ikorodu City are desperate to seal what would be a historic first continental qualification.

For Ikorodu City, the situation also revives painful memories from last season’s near miss. The club narrowly lost out on a continental ticket after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to eventual champions Remo Stars on the final day despite taking an early lead, a result that dropped them to fourth place.

Their hopes of reaching Africa through the Federation Cup were also dashed following a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Abakaliki FC in the semi-finals after a goalless draw.

Now presented with another opportunity, Ikorodu City will hope fortune finally smiles on them as they pursue a historic breakthrough on the continental stage.

With the title race, continental qualification battle, and relegation struggles all still unresolved, the final day of the NPFL season promises drama, tension, and high-stakes football across the country.