NPFL: Wikki Move 12 Position After Hard-Earn Victory Against Bago Boys
By Nasiru IBRAHIM, Bauchi
Wikki Tourists of Bauchi secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over visiting Niger Tornadoes in their Match Day 12 encounter of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
The first half was a cagey affair, with few clear-cut chances. Niger Tornadoes’ key threat, Ismail Sarki, was well-contained by Wikki’s solid defensive duo, center-backs Haruna Aliyu and Abba Musa. The opening 45 minutes ended goalless as both teams struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
In the second half, Wikki coach Abdu Maikaba made tactical adjustments, encouraging intelligent runs from the flanks and introducing attacking midfielder Nasiru Jibrin Baggio. The move paid off in the 86th minute when Baggio scored the decisive goal, securing all three points for the home side.
Speaking after the match, Coach Maikaba expressed delight at the victory while acknowledging the game’s difficulty. “At halftime, I told my players to exploit the wings to bypass Niger Tornadoes’ compact midfield,” he said.
Niger Tornadoes’ coach, Majin Mohammed, admitted his disappointment at the late defeat, explaining that his plan was to defend in numbers and capitalize on counter-attacks. “Coach Maikaba knows our team well, and he made it very difficult for us today,” Mohammed added.
The win moves Wikki Tourists to 12th position on the NPFL table with 16 points, climbing from 16th place, while Niger Tornadoes remain 5th with 17 points after 12 games.
Next up, Wikki Tourists travel to Abia State to face sixth-placed Enyimba International, while Niger Tornadoes will host Katsina United in Minna.
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