Wikki Tourists Struggle for Goals Despite Defensive Solidity

Wikki Tourists FC are finding life back in the Nigeria Premier Football League far tougher than expected. The newly promoted Bauchi side sit 14th on the table and have scored fewer goals than any other club this season, a worrying return for a team set up in a familiar 4-3-3 shape.

Their problems are not rooted at the back. Wikki are one of the few NPFL teams with a clear first-choice goalkeeper, and Godswill Solomon Utum has justified that trust. The shot-stopper was outstanding during the promotion-winning campaign and has carried that form into the top flight. His experience, built partly at EFCC FC in the NNL, has brought calm and assurance.

The defensive unit, on paper, is respectable. Young left-back Abubakar Aliyu, signed from amateur side Warinje FC, has shown promise. Yusuf Saifullahi, formerly of Doma United FC, is the regular choice on the right. In central defence, Musa Abba partners Haruna Aliyu, the latter bringing valuable experience from his 45 NPFL appearances with Doma United. Overall, this is a defence that looks capable of keeping Wikki competitive.

In midfield, Ibrahim Sani, recruited from Inter Lagos FC, and Isah Aliyu Ndala, who has played in Armenia and Tanzania, focus on shielding the back line. Creativity is expected from Klingshak Longbak and Jonathan Mairiga, the team’s leading scorer, but goals from midfield have been too scarce to ease pressure on the forwards.

Up front, Abdullahi Usman leads the line after his move from Sporting Lagos. He is a physical, hard-working striker who occupies defenders but has not been prolific. The Cameroonian Lius Dadong and Bala Magaji Imamu provide alternative options, while Nasiru “Baggio” Jibrin offers invention from the left and Ahmad “Lamido” Abubakar brings energy on the right. Versatile attacker Sadiq Abdullahi adds depth across the front line.

Wikki’s top scorers underline the core issue. Mairiga leads with just four goals, while Dadong, Imamu, Jibrin and Usman have two each. For a team aiming to establish itself in the NPFL, that output is simply not enough.

Unless Wikki Tourists find sharper edge in the final third, their solid defensive base may only be enough to keep them hovering above danger, rather than pushing towards safety with confidence.