By OLAWALE ALABI

Two late goals by Moses Omoduemuke ensured visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan drew 2-2 with Rangers International of Enugu on Saturday in Awka.

The home draw meant the hosts failed to gain valuable ground on their 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) rivals in the race for the competition’s third position.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omoduemuke’s 73rd and 88th minutes goals cancelled out strikes by Shedrack Asiegbu and Chidiebere in the 46th and 55th minutes respectively.

The result meant Rangers stayed fourth on the log behind Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne in third place, with each of them on 53 points.

This may mean that the 1977 African Cup Winners Cup champions may not be having a return next season to the competition now known as the CAF Confederation Cup.

Remo Stars are likely to build a gap when they host fifth-placed Enyimba International of Aba on Sunday, while Enyimba can even leapfrog Rangers if they win in Ikenne.

Sixth-placed Kwara United who host Nasarawa United of Lafia on Sunday in Ilorin can do same if they win.

Eighth-placed Akwa United of Uyo can move up if they beat hosts Wikki Touristson Sunday too.

Seventh-placed Sunshine Stars of Akure seem to be out of the reckoning for now, after a 0-1 loss to hosts Heartland Football Club of Owerri who are in the 18th place.

Abia Warriors of Umuahia did their campaign a lot of good with a 3-2 win over Gombe United, while Dakkada FC beat visiting Katsina FC 2-0 in Uyo.

Other Match Day 36 fixtures slated for Sunday will see title winners Rivers United of Port Harcourt hosting Kano Pillars, while MFM FC of Lagos will host Niger Tornadoes of Minna.

Second-placed Plateau United of Jos should have their hands full as they host relegation-threatened Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

But knowing a win will cement their position and the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League ticket, there may be no surprises. (NAN)