It is as you were in the race for continental tickets in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), which will be decided this weekend.

Going into yesterday’s games across the country, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City and Enyimba were battling for the remaining CAF Champions League slot and the lone Confederation Cup ticket following the crowning of Remo Stars as league champions two weeks ago.

With the win, Remo Stars automatically became Nigeria’s number one representative in next season’s CAF Champions League. That left the second slot open to second-placed Rivers United, Abia Warriors and Ikorodu City.

The trio plus Enyimba still had the opportunity to go to the continent through the Confederation Cup if any of them ended in third position at the end of the games.

But Ikorodu City and Enyimba lost their games, leaving the battle for the second CAF Champions League slot to Rivers United and Abia Warriors.

Rivers United are still occupying the second position with 61 points despite their 1-3 loss to Kwara United and need only a win in their last game, at home, to secure the Champions League slot.

Abia Warriors are just behind Rivers United with only one point separating them, while Ikorodu City are four points behind the Umuahia boys, who are guaranteed the Confederation Cup slot even if they lose their last game.

The story would have been different for Ikorodu City if they had maintained their fine start against Remo Stars in Ikenne, yesterday.

The Oga Boys took the lead against the champions in the 16th minute through a Tosin Oyedokun strike, but they could not sustain the tempo as Remo Stars came back to win 4-1 through goals by Sikiru Alimi (38th), Shaibu Ibrahim (41st), Bello Martins (47th) and Dayo Olamilekan’s 68th minute goal.

The loss ended Ikorodu City’s search for a continental ticket on their debut season in the NPFL.

Enyimba, who lost 2-3 to Nasarawa United, will also not play in the continent in the next season as the best they can get after the last matches is 59, which will still be a point short of Abia Warriors’ tally.

The Aba Elephants have even been overtaken on the log by Bendel Insurance, who defeated Heartland to climb to fifth with 56 points, one higher than Enyimba.

Yesterday’s loss in Benin means that Heartland must beat or draw with Akwa United on May 25 in Owerri to remain in the NPFL, while Akwa United can still survive the drop if Sunshine Stars fall in their last match.

Sunshine Stars are almost certain to join Lobi Stars in the lower Nigerian National League (NNL) even if they win their last game, which is away to El Kanemi Warriors. They are on 41 points and can only get to 44 points with a win in Maiduguri.

Even then, they need as much as 14 goals without conceding any to overtake Akwa United in the safety race.