The Nation Newspaper

Tag: WIKKI

  • ‘Wikki will be ready for Obaje departure’

    ‘Wikki will be ready for Obaje departure’

    Wikki Tourists head coach, Abdu Maikaba has said that he has other good players that can take the place of Godwin Obaje who is reportedly close to a deal abroad when he was asked what would be the fate of his team if some of the players move abroad after sealing a continental berth.

    Maikaba told SportingLife that he was not losing sleep over the possibility of losing some of his players to foreign clubs or even to some clubs in the local league who may swoop on them with promise of better wages.

    He said it had not been in his character to build his squad around a particular player and that team play has always worked for him while acknowledging that the feat recorded by his players has made him proud of their output throughout the season.

    Maikaba said that Wikki were in discussion with a foreign club over the transfer of Obaje and that they have started preparing for life after the NPFL 2015/2016 highest scorer if negotiations are concluded and fruitful. The Kano born led Wikki to pick the CAF Confederation Cup ticket on the final day of the season after picking 57 points from 36 matches.

     

  • Wikki still hope to be champions, says Maikaba

    Wikki still hope to be champions, says Maikaba

    Wikki Tourists coach, Abdu Maikaba has insisted his club will still be gunning for the Nigeria league crown despite recent losses pushed them down to fourth on the table.

    “It will be totally out of place for Rivers United to think they could come to Bauchi to pick any points,” said Maikaba.

    “It will be tough to beat Rivers United, but if you wish to be a champion, you must scale the hurdles in front of you. I have told my players that to win the league we must have the attitude of champions.

    “We almost got all three points at Nasarawa United, which would have improved our chances of winning the league for the first time. But all hope is not lost because we can’t afford what happened to us last season to repeat itself,” Maikaba said.

    Last season, Wikki were pipped to continental football by Nasarawa on goals difference after both clubs finished on the same number of points.

    After Rivers United this weekend, they will play away at Shooting Stars before they wrap up their campaign at home to Sunshine Stars.

  • Rivers go top, Rangers, Wikki, in tight title race

    Rivers go top, Rangers, Wikki, in tight title race

    RIVERS United are the new leaders of the Nigeria league after they came from behind to beat Warri Wolves 3-1, while IfeanyiUbah beat Akwa United to move to third on the table.

    Rivers United now have 56 points from 33 matches, while Enugu Rangers slipped to second place after they lost 2-1 at Shooting Stars.

    IfeanyiUbah were very much at home after they extended their home invincibility after they stopped Akwa United 2-0.

    They have 53 points and leap frog Wikki, who slip to fourth on the table.

    There were also away losses for front runners Wikki Tourists and champions Enyimba.

    Wikki lost 2-1 at Nasarawa United after a stoppage time winner by Aminu Kadir, while Enyimba fell 1-0 at Niger Tornadoes courtesy of a penalty goal by Solomon Owello.

    The Tornadoes vs Enyimba game was full of drama – Enyimba midfielder Dare Ojo was sent off and an Enyimba official dashed into the pitch to punch the referee.

    Kevin Itoya stunned the fans in Port Harcourt when he gave Warri Wolves the lead after 28 minutes.

    However, home team Rivers United fought back to draw level six minutes later through Godwin Obinze.

    Bernard Ovoke then put Rivers United in front after 40 minutes, before Guy Kuemian scored a third goal for ‘Pride of Rivers’ two minutes from time.

  • ‘Wikki can be NPFL champs’

    ‘Wikki can be NPFL champs’

    Wikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has said his side have ample opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the on-going Nigerian top-flight.

    Ibrahim said a convincing win at the Solid Miners will inch them back to the summit hoping that leaders, Enugu Rangers and Rivers United will falter against 3SC and Warri Wolves respectively.

    “We are very much on strong footing to lift the top-flight title at the expense of the frontrunners, Enugu Rangers and Rivers United.

    “We have four matches to wrap up the season’s campaign and those four matches are quite decisive.

    “Our target is to pick the whole 12 points in the matches to be guaranteed a hold on the league crown.

    “If we come short of the 12 points then we will be fighting for the second or third spot at the end of the season.

    “However, our main desire is to win the title and that’s why we are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure we claim the three points at Nasarawa United on Saturday in Makurdi. We know already that no match at this crucial stage of the league will come easy so we have prepared ourselves adequately for the banters Nasarawa United will throw at us.

    “We have vowed to come up with our very best performance in the clash to successfully challenge for the three points at stake,” said the Wikki Tourists strongman to supersport.com.

  • Wikki was tough against Enyimba – Kelly

    Wikki was tough against Enyimba – Kelly

    Enyimba midfielder Kester Kelly has admitted Wikki Tourists were “stubborn” opponents after the champions fought back from a goal down to beat them 2-1 in a rescheduled game Wednesday.

    “It was a very tough match for us. I was first on the bench and I saw the intensity of the match and when I came on, I played to the coach’s instructions,” he said.

    “They are a good team and they gave us a good fight. I expected that from them because they deserved their position on the league table.

    “And in the end it was a sweet victory over a stubborn Wikki.”

    The towering defensive midfielder has established himself at seven-time champions Enyimba after his transfer from Shooting Stars and he said he hopes to play international football with the Aba club again next year.

    “I want to play on the continent again next year after I played in this year’s CAF Champions League and that is why I hope we pick up a continental ticket this season,” he revealed.

  • Recuperating Martins wants Wikki to clinch league for him

    Recuperating Martins wants Wikki to clinch league for him

    Recuperating forward Uche Martins has said he hopes his club, Wikki Tourists go on to win the Nigeria league crown for him.

    Third-placed Wikki face champions Enyimba today in a rescheduled match in Port Harcourt.

    And Uche Martins,who has been out of action for the past three months due to a knee injury, said he will be fulfilled if his teammates could help him actualise the dream of being crowned Nigeria champions.

    Martins is currently working out at the gym and he is not likely to be fully fit to feature in the remaining league games this season.

    “I am now doing some activities in the gym as directed by the doctor,” he said.

    “I have been out of action for over three months and I don’t want to rush the leg.

    “I am not sure I will play any game this season again but I will be glad if my teammates can win the league for me. It was my goal at the beginning of the season and I will be glad to win it.

    “We have a good team to be champions for the first time.”

    On Saturday, they welcome perennial rivals and league leaders Enugu Rangers in continuation of the Nigeria league.

    Shooting Stars are 14th on the table with 41 points from 32 matches.

  • Obaje’s brace shoots Wikki Tourists back on top

    Obaje’s brace shoots Wikki Tourists back on top

    Wikki Tourists of Bauchi boosted its chances of winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title with a 2-1 win over Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministries (MFM) in a week 32 league game on Sunday.

    Godwin Abaje’s brace earned coach Abudul Maikaba tutored-side all three points at stake in the match played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

    The league leading goal scorer, Godwin Abaje scored both goals in the 21st and 39th minutes to increase his goal tally to 16. MFM scored a consolation in the 70th minute through Ogunye Austin.

    In a chat with SportingLife, coach Maikaba praised his boys for their resilient during the match, insisting that three points is very important.

    “The game is okay because the important thing is to get the maximum three points and we thank God that we won. We have noticed some mistakes and it will be corrected in our next matches. We are very focused and determined. All our remaining matches are very important now and we will work very hard to deserve results,” Maikaba told SportingLife.

    With the win, the Bauchi-based side now zooms to the top of the table with 53 points.

  • ‘Wikki to return to NPFL summit’

    ‘Wikki to return to NPFL summit’

    Wikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has said assuredly that his side will shortly return to the summit of the on-going Nigerian top-flight.

    “We are not worried with Enugu Rangers’ continuing stay at the summit despite defeat at oriental neighbours, FC IfeanyiUbah on Sunday in Nnewi. We have two outstanding matches against Lobi Stars and Enyimba to come to term with other teams.

    “Aside the two make-up matches we are hosting MFM FC on Sunday in Bauchi to leverage on. We are not shaken by Enugu Rangers position at the moment which will soon come to a sudden end.

    “We will return to the summit by the time we are done with the makeup matches as well as the Sunday’s NPFL matchday 32 clash against MFM FC. Our teeming supporters should not lose sleep over the current status quo at the summit we will climb back to the top as well as clinch the top prize,” said the Wikki Tourists strongman to supersport.com.

  • Ibrahim insists Wikki will be champs

    Ibrahim insists Wikki will be champs

    Wikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has assured that his side will shortly be back at the summit in the on-going top-flight.

    The Bauchi outfit fell to the second spot on the log after a massive 0-3 defeat at Akwa United in Sunday’s top-flight matchday 29 clash in Uyo.

    Ibrahim said his side have pushed behind them the loss at Akwa United to focus on winning the next game against Lobi Stars.

    “Of course, the second spot is not where we are supposed to be at the moment but we know why and that’s the reason we have pushed behind us the defeat at Akwa United to focus 100% on the clash against Lobi Stars.

    “The drop to the second position is temporary as we see it as one of the challenges on our path to become champions at the end of the season.

    “We are preparing adequately for Lobi Stars as well as the next away clash at Nasarawa United aimed at recording convincing wins.

    “Of course, we will be champions it’s not an impossibility not even the loss at Akwa United can change it.

    “We have told our teeming fans not to panic, the loss has come and gone. We have to forge ahead.

    “The position at the top will change at the end of matchday 30 clashes among the front runners.

    “We have good goal advantage and will possibly occupy the second position if Rangers and Rivers United win their respective matches.

    “So there is no cause for worry we will climb back to the top and keep it that way till the end of the season,” said the Wikki Tourists strongman to supersport.com.

  • Akwa Utd thrash Wikki 3-0

    Akwa Utd thrash Wikki 3-0

    Hassan Babangida scored twice as Wikki Tourists suffered a dent to their title ambitions in a confounding 3-0 loss to Akwa United yesterday.

    The former Heartland star, making his first league start for United, scored twice from rebounds in the first half before Friday Ubong put gloss on a fantastic home performance by the reigning Federation Cup Kings midway through the second half.

    United coach, Maurice Cooreman rung the changes before yesterday’s visit of the Tourists making five of them in all after the loss to Warri Wolves on Sunday. One of those changes, Babangida Hassan proved to be the joker as he was available at the right place at the right time to strike home twice for the Promise Keepers.

    United went in front on 11 minutes after Wikki goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu tried in vain to keep out Fortune Omoniwari’s 20-yard free kick. Nwabulu did well to parry Omoniwari’s effort but it rebounded off the foot of the post, allowing Babangida to react first and poke home from three yards.

    The second goal however came three minutes later when Babangida once again netted from close range after Ubong Friday’s shot on the turn came off the foot of the second post.

    The hosts remained on top after the break and Babangida almost got his hattrick six minutes after the restart but his left-footed volley after an incisive cross by Omoniwari beat the goalkeeper but not the post.

    United made the points safe in the 68th minute through Ubong Friday who finished off a sweet team move. Fortune Omoniwari held off his marker, Ambrose before freeing Olisema with a chipped pass.