Wikki Tourists will rise again after COVID-19 break
Idris Guda:
Wikki Tourists captain, Idris Guda is optimistic that the ‘Elephants of Bauchi’ would improve on their performance when the Nigeria Professional Football League resumes from the COVID-19 break. In this chat with Trust Sports, the striker who has scored seven goals and provided four assists for his club explained how he is putting to good use the NPFL break while assuring that Wikki Tourists would surprise Nigerians at the end of the ongoing season.
WNo, I wasn’t disappointed. Life is more important than football. One can play football only if he is alive. I want to commend the World Health Organisation, the world football ruling body, FIFA and the Nigeria Football federation as well as the League Management Company for this decision. Before they decided to suspend the league LMC were kind of saying the matches should be played behind closed doors. I was not comfortable with that but when they finally said no more matches for now, I heaved a sigh of relief.
So what are you doing now that the league is on break?
I am just keeping fit as advised by our technical adviser. Before we went on break, we were told to keep fit so that when we resume, we would be in good shape. So for now I am in Bauchi and everything is going normal.
What exactly did your coach ask you to do during the break?
We were told not to go and be sleeping too much so that we don’t add weight. He said we should go out maybe early in the morning to jog for like 20 to 30 minutes so that we won’t add too much weight. I am sure most of my team mates are doing this. We are professionals so we don’t need close monitoring. However, as the captain, I still call them on phone once in a while to find out how they are doing.
Before the league went on break, were you satisfied with your individual performance?
I can say I was satisfied but not very satisfied. I know I have to do more to help my club. A lot depends on me and I am aware of this. I am like a commander so I have to keep giving my best. I have scored seven goals and provided four assists but I will score more goals when we start the league again.
Are you comfortable with the position of Wikki Tourists on the table?
No, I am not and it is a surprise to me that we are down the log. We started the season strongly but along the line we had some challenges. We have got a new coach who has revived us so I believe when the league resumes, fans would see a different Wikki Tourists.
Are you saying it is too early to link Wikki with relegation?
I have heard some people talking about relegation but I am not worried. I know for sure that Wikki Tourists would rise again. We are going to redouble our efforts when we resume. The players have resolved to give their best. We are going to surprise many people at the end of the season.
Where is your confidence coming from?
Like I said earlier, we have a new management committee and a brand new coach who is tested and trusted. We also have quality players in the team. All we have to do is to avoid unnecessary mistakes which cost us points in our past matches.
How long have you been playing for Wikki Tourists?
I am in my fifth season in wiki Tourists. I joined Wikki from the Feeder team in 2015. I have had offers but as an indigene of the state, I decided to stay and support the club to rise again. For now, I am very happy playing for Wikki Tourists.
Does it mean you are going to end your career in Wikki Tourists?
(Laughs) No, that is not possible. I am still a young player. Even now I am thinking of changing environment. It is not good to stay in one club forever. We all need to experience life elsewhere. Maybe later, I would return to end my career at home.
As captain of Wikki, how do you cope with the pressure that comes with the captain’s band?
I face challenges from my team mates and fans of the club. As the captain, it is expected that I lead by good example and that is what I try to do. Even before I became the captain, the expectation was there and now that I am the captain, it has doubled. However, I am doing my best. Anytime I am called upon to perform ‘magic’, I deliver and I am happy about this.
Out of the seven goals you have scored this season, which of them is your best?
Let me say my second goal against Lobi Stars. I scored two goals against them in Bauchi. Before I scored second goal, I received a pass from the left flank, I wanted to shoot but a defender blocked me so I dribbled to the right and curled the ball into the net.
Which is your best match this season?
It will be the draw against Kano Pillars in Kano. It was a draw but it meant a lot for us. It was at the beginning of the season so people were criticising the team. When we were going for the match, many people didn’t give us a chance. They said we would concede many goals. Fortunately we got a draw.
What would be your most painful loss?
It was our match against Jigawa Golden Stars in Kano. It was painful because we scored early in the match and we led till much later in the match when they equalised. We ended up losing the match. I don’t know what got over us but we were relaxed maybe because we looked at them as strugglers. We got complacent and paid the price.
How happy are you that Wikki Tourists are now playing their home matches at the Tafawa Balewa stadium?
As you are aware, there is no place like home. I also wish to commend our fans. They have been so fantastic. Even when we are not playing well, they keep supporting us. We never enjoyed such support in Gombe. Our state government too deserves commendation for ensuring that we play our home matches in front of our fans. We now have one of the best stadia in the country.