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Tag: WIKKI

  • Onyekachi Aja, 1999 Wikki Tourist accident survivor, sends SOS to Enoh, Gusau  

    Onyekachi Aja, 1999 Wikki Tourist accident survivor, sends SOS to Enoh, Gusau  

    Former Wikki Tourist and Nigeria international Raymond Onyekachi Aja, who has been struggling with a spinal cord injury that put paid to his glowing career 25 years ago, has sent a passionate SOS (Save my Soul) message to the Minister of Sports Development John Enoh and the president of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) Ibrahim Gusau.

    In 1999, Aja, alongside, other teammates were involved in a ghastly auto accident on club assignment to Katsina. The accident crippled him for life.  

    Speaking from his base in Bauchi, Aja, who recently lost his father, who he described as his pillar, since he became incapacitated, said he needs the help of the Sports Minister, the NFF chief and well-meaning to provide for himself and his family.

    Onyekachi’s story will make even the strong-hearted cry.

    From infancy, he knew he would be a professional footballer. Football runs in his family but he was specially endowed. By the time he could kick football properly he began to turn heads at school football competition rising to captain his school within two years. Once he got into secondary school, the Anambra state academicals came after him to play for the U-13 team and from here there is no looking back. He became a regular in the team. For ‘Onyeka’ as he is commonly called, many fans would come to the stadium. He was energetic and fluid, bringing a new dynamism into left full back plays. The teenage Onyeka would dribble his way from defense to attack and scored his fair share, sometimes from difficult positions. He was sold to football soul and body.

    Things were still looking up for ‘Onyeka’ when he signed for University of Nsukka (UNN) Football team, a semi-professional side, upon leaving secondary school. Shortly after he moved to intercity FC, another semi-professional team, but he skill would only be good for the best-a professional team.

    In 1996, Onyeka took his destiny in his hands. He left home for Bauchi for trial with Wikki Tourist FC, one of the biggest professional clubs till date. He mesmerized the coaching crew within a short time and got a contract. Onyeka did not spent much time on the bench. He got a regular shirt benching one of the oldest members of the team in the process.

    His coming may have given Wikki Tourism a new lease of life as it proceeded from Division 3 to Division 2 in 1997. In 1998 Wikki gained promotion to Division 1 and won the FA Cup, beating Plateau United at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, 3-2 on penalty shootout. The win gave

    Wikki  ticket to represent Nigeria in the then African Cup Winners Cup now Confederations Cup.

    By this time Onyeka had become a household name. Supporters’ club started using his name in their songs. “Onyekachi muna de safi”, they sang, meaning “Onyekachi is very hot.” He was having the time of his life. He was living his dream. He even got a national call from the Nigeria U-17 team under James Peters.

    SET FOR GREATNESS 

    Like a golden fish that cannot be hidden, Onyeka was spotted by foreign scouts in faraway Morocco when Wikki Tourist played Royal Armed Forces. He made an impression on many of them but one in particular, Monsieur Vercourter, a Belgian kept calling him, even in Nigeria.

    One bright morning, Onyeka received a call from Vercourter that he had secured a contract for him with Belgian club, Genk FC. And that he had completed his travelling arrangement. He would be leaving in a week.

    It was the news Onyeka had been waiting for all his life. He was over the moon. But he had to play one last time for his Nigeria club, one last time, he thought.

    CAREER TWIST

    This last trip to Katsina became the beginning of his troubles. The salon car they were travelling in got into an accident and Onyeka was among the badly injured players. He sustained a spinal cord injury. He spent three years in and out of surgery tables. He forgot the use of his legs completely and for 20 years has been living in pain and penury.

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    The ebullient player is now a shadow of himself. What would have been only come to him in dreams-in traumatized dreams, yet Onyeka thank God daily for sparing his life.

    THE ACCIDENT

     “The game against Katsina United was the last game I wanted to play for Wikki unfortunately we had this accident. Along Ningi-Bauchi-Kano Road, the 504 station wagon we were travelling with somersaulted. I landed on my back and sustained spinal cord injury with a team mate. I can’t forget the accident; if nothing else my condition is a constant reminder. Could you imagine a young man full of life with a lucrative contract in Europe at his fingertips become a cripple? Life is tough even for people who can walk how much more someone in my situation. Life has been difficult for me but I thank God for a few friends who have stood by me all this while.

    “The then Governor, Adamu M’uazu, Alhaji Nuhu Wabi, Professor Ilyasu Mohammed, NFA secretary, Sanni Toro, Nurse Mahmoud, Patrick Paschal, Alhaji Issa Matori and other good people of Bauchi rallied behind us to see that we were taken care of. The state government undertook our medical bills at Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and UCH Ibadan. The governor also directed the state government to build a house for us on any land of our choice and pay us salary for life.”

    ETERNALLY GRATEFUL

    Onyeka remained grateful to the former Bauchi governor M’uazu, who also gave him hope to live.

    “The late Yakubu and I were discharged from UCH on May 27, 2000 still in wheel chair. I could recollect two ambulances sent by the Bauchi state Government to bring us back to Bauchi. I’m grateful to the state government for offsetting the hospital bills. They also provided the ambulance that took me home to Nsukka on September 15, 2000.”

    “I want to thank God that I’m alive to tell my story. It has not been easy for me. I’m not doing anything for a living and I have a wife and kid. Sometimes, he would be sent out of school and I would be calling family members and school friends to help me. Since September 2018, when Wikki Tourist stopped paying my salary, I beg before I eat. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Bauchi State governor, and the good people of Bauchi to help me. I’m also appealing to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh to help me. And also NFF president Gusau, they are good people and I know they must have heard about the Wikki Tourist accident in 1999. I am one of the victims. Patrick Pascal and Sani Toro have tried. I need help and I believe that given the opportunity I can do something useful to help myself. Just of recent I lost my dad and we are preparing for the burial,” Aja added.  

  • ‘Wikki, Pillars’ game, a family affairs’

     

    Supporters of Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars have been urged to see Sunday’s matchday 28 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match between the two sides as a family affairs.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Kano Pillars media officer, Idris Malikawa urged the teeming supporters of the club that would be in Bauchi on Sunday to be law abiding and avoid anything that would distract the good cordial relationship between the good people of Kano and Bauchi States during the match.

    “There is no doubt that the match would be the star match of the week based on the current form of our players and Wikki Tourists. Again, the stand of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and League management Company (LMC) in ensuring that match officials are discharging their responsibility effectively would also add glamour to the game. So instead of seeing the game as a northern derby; it would be of benefit for the supporters of both clubs if they can see it as a way of promoting good football and avoid anything that can bring ember of discord between the two clubs.  We are going there with mission and by God grace our target would be achieved this season,” Malikawa said to SportingLife.

    Sai Masu Gida rounded off their training session on Friday morning at the Sani Abacha stadium kofar Mata Kano with a friendly match with a state Premier League team Kano Feeder FC and trashed them 8-0 courtesy of Nwagua Nyima, Adamu Muhammad, Kabiru  Balogun, Hamza Abba Tiya, Rabi’u Ali, Nafiu Kabuga and Amos Gyang goals.

  • Wikki release Johnson, Zikiye

    Wikki release Johnson, Zikiye

    SportingLife can reveal that the management of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi has released the duo of Omo Johnson and Jonathan Zikiye.

    The club’s media officer, Nasiru Kobi told SportingLife that the players were dropped as part of the re-organisation going on in the team ahead of the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Johnson and Zikiye were brought into the team by former Technical Adviser Mohammed Babaganaru.

    Sportinglife reports that Zikiye was not selected for games since he joined the team at the beginning of the season while Johnson’s impact was enough for the management to retain him.

    “We have officially informed Johnson and Zikiye about the management decision and their letters have been given to them. We thank them for their contributions to the team. We are doing everything possible to make sure that we make up for our unimpressive performance when the league resumes for the second stanza,” Kobi told SportingLife.

    It would be recalled that the club had earlier dropped the likes of Chinedu Onyenolu, Ezikiel Thompson, Ya’ú Hassan and John Daddy while Bature Yaro has joined Plateau United.

    “It is a normal practice that when you dropped some players, then you bring in new players. Efforts are ongoing to fortify the team with quality players and I believe we can change things around.”

  • Wikki appoint new Team Manager

    Wikki appoint new Team Manager

     

    The management of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi has appointed Aminu Dalhatu Umar as the Team Manager.

    The club’s Media Officer, Nasiru Kobi said Umar’s appointment is with immediate effect.

    SportingLife reports that the Big Elephants have been operating without a team manager for years and the management deem it necessary to have one as part of restructuring process to bring the team back to his best.

    Umar was a former player at Wunti FC of Bauchi. He is the proprietor of Younger Generation Football Academy.

    The Bauchi based side have been struggling to get to finish in the top-four position in the two previous seasons.

    The coach Baba Ganaru-tutored side crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup at the preliminary stage of the competition early this year.

    “I am delighted to convey the approval of the chairman for your appointment as Team Manager of Wikki Tourists FC with immediate effect. By this appointment, management has reposed confidence in your ability to harmonise the activities of the team with the ideals of the present management, which include strict adherence to due process in all activities of the club as well as equity, fairness and justice,” Umar’s letter of appointment reads.

  • Wikki thrash Gombe United 3-1

    Wikki thrash Gombe United 3-1

    Wikki Tourists FC defeated Gombe United 3-1 in the matchday 18 of the Nigeria Profesional Football League (NPFL) played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Sunday.

    Two quick first half goals from Chukwudi Samuel and Abubakar Lawan put Wikki Tourists, who have been struggling to find its rhythm in the first stanza of the season, in the comfort zone.

    Samuel put the hosts in front in the third minute before Lawan tapped in a corner kick in the 23rd minute to the delight of the home fans.

    Few minutes later, the visitors had the opportunity to put one back in the 28th minute but Mannir Ubale’s one-on-one chance was thwarted by Wikki Tourists’ goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu who parried the ball away.

    Ubale would later on sustain an injury and he was replaced by Samuel Agba.

    Sadiq Shuaibu got a goal for Gombe United with a thunderbolt shot outside the 18-yard box in the 59th minute after series of attempts in the second half as the visitors put more pressure on the hosts.

    Hassan Hussein added another goal for Wikki Tourists when he scored a superb free kick in the 82 minute despite the visitors’ efforts to reduce the tally.

    The match was put on hold for a few minutes as the security men fired tear gas to disperse the  crowd but Wikki Tourists sealed the victory after nine minutes of added time.

  • Ibrahim rues Wikki ‘s poor form

    Ibrahim rues Wikki ‘s poor form

    Wikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has tacitly admitted that scoring is the biggest challenge facing his side in the on-going Nigerian top-flight.

    The Bauchi Elephants lost 0-1 to hosts, Kano Pillars in Wednesday’s top-flight make up matchday 8 clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Ibrahim Alhassan’s lone strike proved adequate to hand the Pyramid City side the three points at stake.

    Ibrahim said his side have continued to improve match after match in other departments except the goal scoring area.

    “We are not getting the desired results in our matches even the ones we showed clear dominance.

    “We discovered that we are not scoring goals and the shortcomings have continued to deny us victories.

    “Today (Wednesday) against Kano Pillars we dominated play same as Sunshine Stars in Akure.

    “We are the ones playing the game while our opponents are the ones doing the scoring and winning, too.

    “Once we concede we cannot come back to even score or take the lead; this is a big challenge for us at the moment.

    “At least, we deserved to claim a point at Kano Pillars to show for our domination of the game.

    “We will not say we are not disappointed losing the clash to Pillars but we take comfort in the fact that we acquitted ourselves.

    “Pillars were damn lucky to have run away with the whole points in the match.

    “Well our coach has noted that we have a problem scoring goals and has promised to work on it.

    “Scoring is our main problem right now as other departments have shown tremendous improvement,” said the former Nigerian junior international strongman to supersport.com.

    Ibrahim considers his side inactivity at the weekend is due to Enugu Rangers’ continental assignment as a blessing in disguise.

  • Rangers, Wikki return to NPFL with crucial wins

    Rangers, Wikki return to NPFL with crucial wins

     

    Enugu Rangers and Wikki Tourists marked winning return to the NPFL after over two weeks break after they defeated Lobi Stars and 3SC in Match Day 7 rescheduled games played in Enugu and Bauchi respectively.

    The Flying Antelopes shot into the lead in the 21st minute through Daniel Etor who followed up his impressive display last weekend in the CAF Champions League preliminary round victory over JS Saoura of Algeria with a cool finish after a defensive blunder from the Pride of Benue.

    Rangers lead wasn’t for long as the centre referee blew an infringement in the reigning champions’ vital area after Tony Okpotu was adjudged to have been tripped in the 18 yard box by the goals scorer, Etor in the 36th minute. Even though Nana Bonsu saved the initial effort of the spot kick by Kingsley Eduwo he netted from the loose ball after Rangers’ defenders failed to clear their line in the 37th minute.

    It was as if the tie would end 1-1 when Bobby Clement pounced at the dead to restore Rangers lead and ensure that the league’s defending champions got the three points to leave the relegation zone with nine points from seven games. They are now 15th on the log.

    In Port Harcourt, it was a cracker between Rivers United and Kano Pillars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium yesterday after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw. It was Sai Masu Gida’s first away point of the season.

    Godbless Asamoah scored the curtain raiser in the 45th minute for his first goal of the season to give the hosts the lead but Pillars found the much needed equaliser in the 58th minute through Amos Gyang.

    At the Mohammed Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Katsina United recorded their first win from five matches after beating FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 yesterday through the strike of Destiny Ashadi who was a major doubt to feature before the start of the match.

    They held steadfastly to their lead to make it 13 points from nine games and have moved to sixth on the log.

    While at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Wikki Tourists needed a 70th minute strike from Nnaemeka Anyanwu to edge 3SC by a lone goal in their tie yesterday.

    It was the right response from the Bauchi side who had three days earlier crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup competition at the first hurdle.

    They got the win they desired to cool the frail nerves of their fans and supporters and have moved to 10 points from seven games. They are now 12th on the log.

  • Wikki bundled out of Caf Confederation Cup

    Wikki bundled out of Caf Confederation Cup

    Wikki Tourists were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup despite recording a 1-0 win against RSLAF FC at the Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Sunday.

    Baba Ganaru’s team had suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Wusum Sports Stadium, Makeni last week and Mustapha Ibrahim’s lone strike in Bauchi was not enough to guarantee their passage to the first round stage.

    Wikki started the must-win encounter brightly with possessions but Abubakar Lawal missed an opportunity to put the host ahead from the spot in the opening 20 minutes.

    However, Ibrahim wasted no time firing the Bauchi based side in front in the 58th minute in the second stanza.

    In the last 15 minutes, Wikki pressed hard for another goal in a bid to drag the match into  extra-time but the visitors defended tirelessly to earn progress with a 2-1 aggregate win.

  • 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.

  • “Wikki still in Confed Cup race’

    “Wikki still in Confed Cup race’

    WIKKI Tourists captain and right back Mustapha Ibrahim has said that his side will qualify for the next stage of Africa’s second tier club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The Bauchi Elephants lost 0-2 to their Sierra Leonean opponents, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) FC, on Sunday at the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown.

    Ibrahim said his side did not perform optimally in Freetown but will make amends in the reverse fixture on Sunday in Bauchi.

    “After the game at RSLAF FC, it dawned on us that we did not represent the country very well.

    “However, we equally know that the loss is not the end of the road for us as far as the CAF Confederation Cup is concerned.

    “We know there is another chance for us to make amends as well as redeem our qualification campaign.

    “We are convinced we will get the required three or four unreplied goals here on our home ground in Bauchi on Sunday.

    “Nigerians should still keep firm hope with us as we are determined to make them proud.

    “The loss to RSLAF FC does not mean that we played badly. We played quite well but perhaps luck was not in our favour.

    “We missed glaring chances. Just a momentary loss of concentration gave the opponents the opportunity to score their goals.

    “The Sierra Leonean side were not fantastic just lucky but I’m sure the coaches would have corrected the shortcomings to put us in good stead to unsettle the opponents on Sunday.

    “The government has been supportive and charged us to come out with the finest result to move on in the competition,” said the former junior international strongman to supersport.com.

    The reverse fixture will be held on Sunday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium (ATBS) in Bauchi as the aggregate winners will confront the Malian side, FC Djoliba, in the next stage of the competition.