‘Good Officiating Has Made Wikki Competitive’

Wikki Tourists Coach Abdu Makaiba has revealed that he and his players derive confidence to compete well from the knowledge that the League Management Company (LMC) has created a level playing field for the best teams to achieve results. He added that this has resulted in a ‘strange season’ in this year’s Glo Nigeria Premier League.

He said after his side’s barren draw with Akwa United in Uyo recently, the former Enyimba tactician said match officiating has been very professional and recorded marked improvement from the past.

“It has been a strange season with the kind of results we have been seeing. What makes it even more interesting is the way and manner the officials carry out their duties with absolute professionalism. I praise the efforts of the LMC and other football administrators”.

“You can see our game is better now and the referees themselves are aware that this is their profession. In a match, the better team has to win whether they are home or away. I say kudos to the officials in their handling of matches especially the center referees”.

Wikki Tourists ranks at par with Sunshine Stars in goals scoring (12 apiece) but Makaiba saw his side’s scoring spree halted in Uyo despite a strong start in the first half of that game. It was the first time in seven games his side failed to find the back of the net. Although disappointed, he says, they will keep improving and creating chances.

“It’s part of the game, at times you can’t convert all your chances. The good thing is that we are constantly creating more chances and it we continue that way, the goals will come”.

Wikki Tourists are home this Match Day 9 against a struggling Lobi Stars that have lost their last two games on the road and drawing all their home ties. For Sunday’s game, Maikaba insists, “Our focus is on the game. We are playing Lobi at home and they have not been playing well this season, so the target for us is to ensure we get the maximum three points in that game. That will make us consolidate our position on the log”.

Wikki Tourists are fourth with 12 points and can go top with a win should Sunshine Stars, Giwa and Gabros stumble.