Match Preview: Wikki Tourist v Nasarawa United

Mohammed Baba Ganaru will be hoping to kick start his stint as Wikki Tourists manager on Sunday with a positive result as the experienced tactician became a part of the managerial merry go round in the NPFL.

He left Kano Pillars at the end of last season, having coached this weekend’s opponent two seasons ago and also for
the most part of last season before jumping ship to the Sai Ma Sui Gida.

Wikki finished third last season under former coach, Abdul Maikaba. It’ll be even more difficult to attain such lofty heights of last season due to the competitive nature of the NPFL; even more so that Godwin Obaje has left.

Last season’s top scorer has moved to Tunisia to seek greener pastures with Club African, so its sine qua non and imperative that their latest imports provide the same level of performance the Bauchi based side produced last season.

As many as ten new signings have been made in the shape of Omo Johnson, Jonathan Zikiye while Victor Alegbe
and Shama Tanze have returned from loan spells from Rivers United and coincidentally, this weekend’s
opponent, Nasarawa United as part of the ten including former Nasarawa United captain, Bature Yaro.

As many as five players have been promoted from their talented youth team to beef up the squad.

Wikki Tourist took part in the NPFL Super 4 with a record of W1, D1, L1.
They lost their opening game 1-0 to Rivers United before bouncing back to defaeat the Federations Cup holders, FC Ifeanyi Ubah in their second game.

A goaless draw with NPFL champions Enugu Rangers saw them finish third in the four team tournament. They also defaeated FC Yarmalight 5-1 in one of their other pre-season games.

Nasarawa United come into this game on the back of a busy transfer window that has seen a lot of players from last
season leave. None bigger than midfield maestro, Esosa Igbinoba. He forged a repuation as a goal scoring midfielder,
finding the back of the net regularly, with over thirty goals in the past three seasons.

He’s moved to Rivers United and so too has Ifeanyi Nweke. Shama Tanze’s loan expired, and is back to his parent club alongside former captain, Bature Yaro who are at Wikki Tourists, this Sunday’s opponent.

Newly promoted Katsina United have also snapped up three of their players with Paul Danjuma, Amos James and Ibrahim Ibrahim all leaving. Samson Gbadebo has left for Enyimba while Phillip Azango has moved to Plateau United.

Coach Kabiru Dogo’ll be pleased to still have the attacking firepower of AbdulRahman Bashir and Thomas
Zenke. Seun Sogbeson and captain reliable, Emmanuel Makama are still at the club too. They’ve also returned to their original home ground in Lafia which should further boost their cause this season.

They lost 1-0 to Plateau United in one of their pre-season games and will be keen to get their campaign underway
with a good result away from home.

There were identical scorelines in this fixture last season, with both home sides winning 2-1.

Christopher Waziri has been tipped by many to shine this season, and alongside him, Alegbe Victor, Omo Johnson and the midfield tenacity of Bature Yaro should overwhelm their visitors who struggle for form away from home.

PREDICTION: WIKKI TOURISTS 2-0 NASARAWA UNITED