The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wikki Tourists

  • NPFL: Plateau rain goals on Sunshine Stars as Akwa conquer Wikki,

    NPFL: Plateau rain goals on Sunshine Stars as Akwa conquer Wikki,

    Akwa United Football Club of Uyo maintained top spot on the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) log with a 4-0 thumping of Wikki Tourists FC on Sunday.

    After the emphatic win at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the hosts have now garnered 16 points from seven games, one more than Plateau United FC of Jos.

    The defending champions also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon with their 5-0 trouncing of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure in Jos.‎

    Ubong Friday, Victor Mbaoma, Micheal Ibe and Christian Pygbara were all on target in the 14th, 67th, 82nd and 89th minutes respectively for Akwa United.

    The heavy defeat suffered by Wikki Tourists saw them slipped four steps to 12th position on the NPFL log.

    Plateau United were in devastating form against Sunshine Stars with new arrival Tosin Omoyele grabbing a brace in the 2nd and 80th minutes for the demolition of the Owena Waves.

    The young forward has now scored three goals for the Jos-based club side this season.

    Sunday Ingbede, Emeka Umeh and Mafeng Pam also scored in the 15th, 18th and 89th minutes respectively for the Jos-based side.

    Read Also: NPFL Abia Warriors demolish Rivers United 4-1

    The champions are on the second spot on the log, while Sunshine Stars slipped to 5th position on the log.

    Third-placed Kano Pillars also had a great afternoon edging hard-fighting MFM FC 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

    League’s leading scorer Junior Lokosa opened scoring from the penalty kick spot in the 52nd minute, his seventh goal of the season.

    Adamu Hassan made the three points safe with a fine strike in the 90th minute.

    MFM FC dropped two steps further down the NPFL log to seventh position.

    In Owerri, former champions Heartland recorded their first win of the season following a comfortable 2-0 home win against Kwara United.

    Biodun Thompson netted the opener for the “Naze Millionaires’’ in the 10th minute, while Stanley Egbujor added the second 11 minutes from time.

    Heartland climbed to 15th, while Kwara United dropped three steps further down to the bottom of the 20-club log.

    At the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Lobi Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against visiting FC IfeanyiUbah with midfielder Esosa Igbinoba getting the decisive goal in the 26th minute.

    FC IfeanyiUbah are now without a win in their last four games as they sit in 16th position, while Lobi Stars moved a step up to fourth on the log.

    Seven-time champions Enyimba held hosts El-Kanemi Warriors to a goalless draw in Maiduguri, with Bello Kofar-mata missing a penalty kick for the hosts three minutes before the break.

    Enyimba FC is now in eighth position, while El-Kanemi Warriors slipped one step down to 14th on the log.

    Katsina United defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, with Chinedu Ajanah and Eric Dufegha getting the goals in the 7th and 48th minutes respectively.

    The Oriental derby clash between Abia Warriors and Rangers International ended in a goalless draw, while Rivers United beat Go Round FC 1-0 in the Rivers State derby.

    Oche Salefu’s 81st minute goal from a penalty kick separated both sides.

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  • Wikki Tourists terminate Ganaru’scontract

    NIGERIA Professional Football League (NPFL) side Wikki Tourists have parted ways with their technical adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru reports Supersport.com

    The former Kano Pillars handler was given his sacking letter on Friday by the Bauchi Elephants’ management.

    A source said the sacking has been late in coming as the poor run of results on the continent and domestic scene have not endeared the manager to his employer.

    “Yes, coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru was given his sack letter yesterday (Friday) by the management.

    “Management has been patient with the embattled coach hoping that with time the fortune of the side will improve.

    “Ganaru would have been sacked immediately the side lost the campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    “However, rather than the side’s fortunes improving there is steady decline which raised fear that if something urgent is not done the side may be a candidate for relegation.

    “I think poor performance of the coach was solely responsible for his sack on Friday.

    “Wikki Tourists are the only team in the on-going top-flight yet to claim a point on the road even after losing vital points on home ground,”

  • NPFL week 16 result: MFM back on top

    NPFL week 16 result: MFM back on top

    The week 16 round of matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League saw Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Football Club (MFMFC) move back to the top of the league.

    MFMFC defeated Abia Warriors after goals from wonder boy, Sikiru Olatunbosun and star striker Stephen Odey gave them a 2-1 victory at Agege on Wednesday. 

    Odey scored in the 4th minute for the “Olukoya boys” while Olatunbosun doubled the lead in the 31 minute.

    84 minutes into the match, Sunday Adetunji returned a goal for the visitors, but it was too late.NPFL result

    Similarly, Plateau United got a draw away against Rivers United to maintain present strength this season while Rangers United’s poor performance continued with a draw at home to Remo Stars.

    Wikki Tourists, Shooting Stars, Ifeanyi Ubah and Sunshine Stars all got home victories. Lobi Stars tackles Akwa United FC tomorrow in Makurdi.

    MFMFC’s striker, Odey remains the current highest goal scorer in the league with 13 goals.

  • Remo 2 vs 1 Wikki Tourists: Ganaru, journalist, referee attacked in Shagamu

    Remo 2 vs 1 Wikki Tourists: Ganaru, journalist, referee attacked in Shagamu

    All hell was let loose at the Shagamu Stadium on Sunday during Remo Stars 2-1 win over Wikki Tourists in the match day 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as the visitors’ head coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru, centre referee and sports journalist, Kelvin Ekerete were attacked by the home fans.

    The home team got the first goal through Victor Chinedu before Jonathan Richard scored the equaliser for the Big Elephants.

    The Sky Blues scored the second goal in a controversial circumstances via penalty. The penalty call was protested by the Wikki Tourists players but at the end the day the penalty was awarded and scored by Victor Mbaoma.

    However, a sport journalist, Kelvin Ekerete was also rough-handled by the fans and his mobile phone was snatched. He was left with bloody nose.

    Kelvin’s undoing was his audacity to film the harassment on the match officials and the visitors.

    In a telephone conversation with SportingLife, Ganaru said the referee lost control of the match after he was attacked and intimidated which pressured him to award a dubious penalty to apiece the angry home fans.

    “We lost the match through a dubious penalty. The officiating was very bad. There was intimidation and the atmosphere was very bad. The fans attacked me and the centre referee when we were going to the dressing room at half time. Our chairman was harassed and our cameraman was also attacked. And to my surprise the referee gave a very dubious penalty to Remo Stars,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

  • WIKKI TOURISTS 2-1 KATSINA UNITED

    WIKKI TOURISTS 2-1 KATSINA UNITED

    Ambrose emotional after Wikki match winner

    Wikki Tourists’ match winner in their 2-1 home win over Katsina United yesterday in a NPFL tie in Bauchi, Peter Ambrose has disclosed that he was left speechless after getting his first goal of the season.

    The Giant Elephant started the game very brightly through the goal of Victor Yakubu who put them in the lead in the fourth minute from the penalty spot but Katsina United fought back to get the equaliser in the 47th minute through Destiny Ashadi before the wonder goal from Ambrose.

    Ambrose, a defender and the younger brother of Super Eagles’ defender, Efe Ambrose told SportingLife that he was delighted that he got the winning goal after what his team has gone through in recent times.

    The three points lifted Wikki to 15 points from 13 games and off the bottom of the league table which has now been taken over by Remo Stars.

  • Wikki vs RSLAF clash: Bauchi State Governor declares gates open

    Wikki vs RSLAF clash: Bauchi State Governor declares gates open

    .CAF appoints Bnubou Traore as center referee

    The Bauchi State Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar has declared gates open for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup second leg tie between Wikki Tourists and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

    The governor’s gesture is to attract more fans to the stadium and support Wikki Tourists in today’s game.

    The governor, who was in Free Town for the first leg encounter when Wikki Tourists lost 2-0 to RSLAF, is expected to lead the government delegation to the stadium for total support to the team.

    The club’s media officer, Nasiru Kobi, said preparation is in top gear for the match. He added that the technical crew and players have resolved to play like never before to secure qualification for the next stage of the competition.

    “This is one of the governor’s ways to show his support to the team. He was in Free Town for the first leg and he has promised to be at the stadium on Sunday for the second leg too. He wants to see more people at the stadium and that is why he declared the gates open so as to allow fans to have easy access to the stadium.

    “The team needs the support and prayers of everybody at this moment and that is why it is very necessary to do everything to support the team to achieve success on Sunday. The players are ready and In Sha Allah we will go for outright victory and qualify for the next stage of the competition,” Kobi said.

    Meanwhile, Malian officials have been appointed by CAF to officiate the game. Bnuboa Traore will serve as the center referee, Bouba Kar Kinta (AR1), Baba Yomboliba (AR2) while Gaouss OU Kane will be a reserve referee.

    The match commissioner, Mumkai KA Nassam Adam is from Ghana. The match is fixed for 4pm.

     

  • Jonathan: Wikki Tourists’ best yet to come

    Jonathan: Wikki Tourists’ best yet to come

    Wikki Tourists forward, Richard Jonathan says he and his teammates will continue to give their best as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) progress.

    The former Hearts FC of Abuja was hero on Sunday as he scored two goals in his side’s 3-1 win over FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the match day five encounter played on Sunday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

    The visitors shocked the home team with early goal in the 4th minute through Prince Agreey before new Jonathan equalized for Wikki Tourists in the 37th minute. Jonathan extended the lead in the 43rd minute to end the first half 2-1 in favour of the home side.

    Mohammed Guda netted the third goal in the 79th minute to nail the coffin of the visitors and give Wikki Tourists their first leagues win this season.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Jonathan attributed his good performance during the game to the will of God.

    He added that the supporters of the club also contributed to the success recorded on Sunday by their positive behaviour throughout the duration of the game.

    “It was a massive win for us and I thank God that we finally recorded our first win. FC Ifeanyi Ubah is a big team and we really work harder to get that victory. We will not allow that win to distract us because we still have a long way to go. I have to commend our chairman Isa Matori for his motivation to the players. We will try our best to reciprocate the gesture. Our technical crew under coach Baba Ganaru are doing great job too. I belief Wikki will achieve something big under him,” Jonathan told SportingLife.

     

  • Wikki Tourists secure first season’s win

    Wikki Tourists secure first season’s win

    Players and officials of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi heaved a sigh of relief following a 3-1 win over FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the match-day 5 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tie played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Sunday.

    The Big Elephants were desperate for it’s first win of the season following a below per performances in their last four matches so far.

    The development prompted the management to read the riot act to the coaches during an emergency meeting which involved the management and technical crew on Friday to find a lasting solution to the problem.

    It seems that the outcome of the meeting had started yielding a positive result with a convincing result against the Anambra Warriors.

    It was a clash of the giants as both teams are representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup this season.

    The coach Mohammad Baba Ganaru had managed to secure two draws in their last two home games but Sunday’s win is a sign of good things to come for the team.

    The visitors shocked the home team with early goal in the 4th minute through Prince Agreey before new signing Richard Jonathan equalized for Wikki Tourists in the 37th minute. He extended the lead in the 43rd minute to end the first half 2-1 in favour of the home side.

    In the second half, Wikki Tourists continued where they stopped in the first half as Mohammed Guda netted the third goal in the 79th minute to nail the coffin of the visitors and sent the ABS stadium into wild jubilation.

  • Wikki Tourists Management, technical crew in crucial meeting

    Wikki Tourists Management, technical crew in crucial meeting

    The management of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi has charged the players and technical crew of the team to put more efforts by improving on their performances.

    The Nation Sports can authoritatively report that both the management and technical crew were locked in a crucial meeting on Friday to review the performances of the team in their last four matches.

    The Big Elephants are currently on 18th position on the log, amassing four points out of the possible 12 this season.

    The club’s chairman, Isa Matori told the technical crew at the meeting to sit up and find a lasting solution to the team’s problem.

    Matori said the current performance of the club is worrisome when compared to the last season and challenged both players and technical crew to brace up and ensure the team surpasses its last performance.

    The team’s technical adviser, Mohammad Baba Ganaru on behalf of the technical crew pleaded for understanding, assuring that there would be an improvement very soon.

    Wikki Tourists host FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the match day 5 of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter at the Abubakar Tafawa balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Sunday.

  • No fan slapped me, says Maikaba

    No fan slapped me, says Maikaba

    Akwa United technical adviser, Abdu Maikaba has denied a report claiming that he was smacked by a team’s fan after their Match day 4 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Rangers International on Wednesday in Uyo.

    The Promise Keepers are yet to secure a win in their previous four matches, amassing two points out of a possible 12.

    The Uyo-based side played a barren draw against the league champions, Rangers on Wednesday, which did not go down well with the home fans who were clamouring for their first win of the season.

    Maikaba in a chat with SportingLife admitted that fans were shouting for win but never attacked him as claimed. He insisted that the issues was exaggerated.

    “I saw it (report) on the internet that I was slapped on Wednesday. Nothing of such happened to me. The fans were shouting that they want win but nobody slapped me. One fan came closer to me but the security intervened and he was stopped. The issue was exaggerated,” Maikaba told SportingLife.

    The former Wikki Tourists gaffer insisted that his boys have been playing well in all their matches as he pleaded with their fans to be patient with the team.

    “In our last two home matches we played against big teams. Rangers International won the league last season, while Rivers United came second. These two teams still keep most of their players which is an advantage for them. They have cohesion and they have been playing together for a long time. Anybody that had watched our games so far will believe with me that we are playing well. We had good match against Rangers and my players were excellent only that we didn’t crown it with goal. We have noticed our problem and we will work on it to make necessary corrections. Our fans should be patient with the team and very soon we will give them what they want which wining our matches,” he said.