The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wikki Tourist

  • Wikki will be a tough nut to crack, admits Enyimba’s stars

    Despite having a target of picking the three maximum points away, Enyimba’s duo of Onuwa Chukwuka and Andrew Abalogu have admitted that playing against Wikki Tourist in the North is indeed a tough nut to crack for the Aba Elephants.

    Today at the Jos Township Stadium, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi will host Enyimba in the week six of the Nigeria Professional Football League and Abalogu believes the weather coupled with the huge fans base in the North sometimes make me away team to be intimidated but said that they are heading to Jos to clinch the three points.

    “I must admit that it is not always easy playing in the North particularly with the weather as well as the huge crowd that football commands in that part of the country. We know what is at stake and we are hoping and believing we can beat them in their new base,” the wingback said.

    For Chukwuka, the crucial win against Rivers United at the weekend would surely spur Enyimba against Wikki. “I think our win against Rivers United is key to our success in Jos. The win has once again motivated us to grow in confidence again after some setbacks. Wikki is not a pushover team and with most of us in Enyimba having played in that side of the country, I am sure we can turn the table against them in Jos particularly that the venue is not their original home,” the ex-MFM midfielder said.

    Chukwuka, who is playing in his first season with the Aba Elephants having played five season with MFM of Lagos said he is aiming to use his stay with Enyimba to launch himself into the heart of foreign scouts. “I played five seasons with MFM and this is my first season with Enyimba and I am hoping that I can attract foreign clubs playing with this great club. The management of the team has been very supportive and we hope we can repay them by claiming continental slots and also be among the top teams in this abridged league,” the diminutive star said.

  • Abdullahi eyes continental ticket with Wikki Tourist

    Abdullahi eyes continental ticket with Wikki Tourist

     

    Wikki Tourist new left back, Mustapha Abdullahi has vowed to help the club secure a continental ticket for next season.

    The Bauchi based side were highly rated following their third place finish in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) two seasons ago but they faltered last season, escaping relegation by just three points.

    However, Abdullahi is confident that the club can do well this season and grab a continental spot like they achieved in the 2016/17 season.

    “I believe Wikki tourist has what it takes to play at the continental level” the 21-year-old said.

    “By the special Grace of God, we should be getting a continental ticket at the end of the season just like we’ve achieved before.”

    Abdullahi is regarded as one of the best left backs in Nigeria having played for the U17, 20 and 23 national teams. He was also part of the team that represented Nigeria at the All African Games and helped himself to a goal against Senegal during that tournament.

    Fans of Wikki Tourist will specially look out for the enterprising Abdullahi when they host newly promoted Go Round FC at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium for the kick-off of the 2018 NPFL season.

     

     

     

     

     

  • We respect Antelopes but we don’t fear them-Tornadoes

    We respect Antelopes but we don’t fear them-Tornadoes

     

    League defending champions Rangers international will not be having a tea party file when they file out against Tornadoes at the Lokoja Township Stadium on Sunday.

    Andrew Evans Ikefe who gave the hint said although the Minna landlords currently based in Lokoja have a lot of respect for the Flying Antelopes, there is no atom of fear for the Coal City side, noting that when it comes to earning maximum points, there is no room for fear of any opponent.

    Ikefe who regretted the 3-1 defeat suffered in the hands of Wikki Tourist, said the loss means Tornadoes will need to double effort to sing victory song in Sunday’s clash against Rangers.

    “We need a win, we are an ambitious side and the target we gave ourselves must be met. Therefore we are training extra hard to get maximum points on Sunday, Rangers maybe be coming on a revenge mission but we are equal to the task.

    “Rangers have improved with time, we respect them but we are not afraid of them, and I am confident that we will carry the day”, said the former Katsina United ace

    Tornadoes had in the reverse fixture held Rangers to a 1-1 draw at the Cathedral.

    Going into Sunday’s game, Tornadoes are 8 on the log with 36 points while the Flying Antelopes are 14th on the log with 31 points.

    Apparently determined to go the extra mile, Ikefe has declared that he is ready to play in any position provided his efforts yields positive result for the team.

    Ikefe who has been marshalling the central defence of the Ikon Allah side along with his team mate Sunday Akinmoladun was made to play in the defensive midfield when his side lost 1-3 to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi on Matchday 24.

    He said that playing in the midfield did not give him much problem because that was his position when he began his football career. He however revealed his preference for defensive role, submitting that it keeps him alert.

    “I prefer the defence role in football, it keeps me alert and I have to be very calculative on all the tackles and interceptions that I make.

    “The defence improves one’s alertness; therefore I love the defensive line more. But am ready to play anywhere the coach instructs me to play”, he stated.

  • Wikki Tourists dismiss player, disengage coach

    Wikki Tourists dismiss player, disengage coach

     

     

     

     

    Management of Wikki Tourist held an emergency meeting with players on Thursday following their dismal performance of the team in the ongoing 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional football League (NPFL) season.

    The club chairman, Isa Musa Matori and his board took some decisions after the meeting which they said are in the best interest of the club.

    Part of the decisions taken according to the club’s media officer, Nasiru Abdullahi Kobi, is that Daddy John, who joined the club from Plateau United on free transfer, be dismissed.

    Kobi said John has been on suspension for breaking club’s rules that include absconding from team’s camp before his dismissal.

    The board also disengaged one of the technical crew members, Tijjani Okeddy.

    He added that all players have been issued warning letters while some technical crew members accused  of hypocrisy were also issued with warning letters.

    The management has also given the players three matches ultimatum to improve or be placed on half salary.

    The chairman, Matori, commended the State Governor Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq, and good supporters of the club for their support and understanding when the club is experiencing a difficult moment.

    Matori solicited for more prayers for the club to get out of its present predicament.

  • Wikki Tourists crash out of CAF competition

    Wikki Tourists crash out of 2017 CAF Confederation Cup competition, after a 1-0 home win in Bauchi, losing out on a 1-2 aggregate to RSLAF of Sierra Leone in the first round.

  • Rangers get Algerian opponent in CAF Champions League

    … Rivers Utd to tackle Mali’s Real Bamako

    Nigeria’s CAF Champions league campaigners Rangers International and Rivers United will begin their chase for the continental title against JS Saoura of Algeria and As Real Bamako of Mali respectively. The two premier league sides that finished as champions and runners up of the Nigerian professional Football League came face to face with their opponents Wednesday at the draws held in Cairo Egypt.
    Incidentally both teams will play their first leg which holds between 10th to 12th February away before hosting the second legs scheduled for 17th to 19th February respectively. Coach of both teams Imama Amapakabo and Stanley Eguma have expressed confidence that their teams will put up a good fight in the continental show of supremacy.
    In the confederation Cup Ifeanyi Ubah will tackle Al-Masry SC of Egypt while the Wikki Tourist faces RSLAF of Siera Leone. The first leg like the champions league, will hold between 10th-12th of February with the 2nd leg billed for 17th -19th February respectively.
    But unlike the Champions League where the Nigeria flag bearers will first play away, only Ifeanyi Ubah will first play at home. Wikki Tourist will face RSLAF away first before hosting their opponents in Bauchi in the second leg of the preliminary stages.
    The Nigerian ambassadors in the Champions league will not only be competing among the bests in the continent but will stand a chance of carting away the improved largesse that will now see the winner walk away with $2.5 million about (N788 million) and $1.25 million about N394 million for the runners up.

  • Elayo: Nasarawa ready for Wikki battle

    Elayo: Nasarawa ready for Wikki battle

    Nasarawa United media officer Musa Elayo has revealed his side’s readiness to beat Wikki Tourist in today’s Glo premier league game.

    The Baba Ganaru boys suffered a 1-0 defeat on the opening day of the league last week courtesy Abraham Audu 40th minute goal and they are determined to right their wrong by winning in front of their home fans.

    “We are ready for Wikki game and we are not going to underrate them,” Elayo told SportingLife. “We want to get 3 points at stake in the match. We had put our loss against El Kanemi behind us.”

    The media officer urged for fans patience as the team will need time to gel due to the number of new players that joined the team for the new season.

    “Five of our new players played against El Kanemi and we are not disappointed but they must redouble their efforts in the next game.

    “We want to appeal to our fans to be patient and management is doing everything in ensuring that the mistakes of last season are not repeated.”

    Nasarawa finished fifth last season with 59 points, six points behind eventual winners Kano Pillars.

    FIXTURES:

    TODAY

    Kwara United v Elkanemi Warriors (4:00pm)

    Nasarawa United v Wikki Tourist (4:00pm)

    Akwa United v FC Taraba (4:00pm)

    Enugu Rangers v Sharks FC (4:00pm)

    Sunshine Stars v Gabros FC (4:00pm)

    Wednesday, March 18

    Warri Wolves v Giwa FC (4:00pm)

    Lobi Stars v Enyimba Int’l (4:00pm)

    Thursday, March 19

    Abia Warriors v Dolphins FC (4:00pm)

  • Tornadoes vow to chain Prisons

    Tornadoes vow to chain Prisons

    National league campaigners Niger Tornadoes, have vowed to cage Prisons of Abuja when both sides clash today in Minna. Tornadoes goalkeeper Nobas Omorege, who revealed the game plan, hinged his confidence on the current form of the Minna landlords, adding that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the homers claimed the three points at stake. Omorege who re-echoed Tornadoes desire to return to the elite division said the resolve among the players is to henceforth battle opponents to a standstill no matter their pedigree

    “We are in the form of our lives, we will not underrate any team whether debutants or veterans, he stated.

    Omorege who regretted that the Koko Uwua tutored side failed in the original plan to pull at least a draw against Mighty Jets of Jos in the last match, however said the controversy trailing the lone goal defeat has been put aside to ensure better focus. “The last match has been put behind, our focus now is on today’s match against Prisons,” he added.

    Tornadoes with 18 points in 12 matches are seven places below Division A leaders Wikki Tourist, while Prisons occupy bottom of the log with nine points in 12 matches. On paper, some say Tornadoes should make mince meat of the visitors. Others however maintain that anything can happen in football as every team stands a chance of converting opponents’ mistakes into advantage.