For the Warriors from Abia, it was always going to be a gruelling 90 minutes of football at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium against the Bauchi-based side, Wikki Tourists who are looking to win the Nigerian Professional Football League title (NPFL) for the first time.
Tasting what if feels like being at the summit of the NPFL, the Bauchi based side have vowed not to let go thier grip on the log till the end of the season.
Following Rangers draw at home to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Wikki Tourists went into the fixture with the intent of grabbing all the three points in the bag with goals in each half from Ibrahim Abdullahi and the Nigerian league’s current leading top-scorer, Godwin Obaje.
Right from the blast of the Referee’s whistle, Abdul Maikkaba-led side dominated proceedings with Idris Sabo, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Godwin Obaje, all asking questions of the visiting side’s defence. Wikki did not have to wait for too long as their dominance paid off in the 29th minute when Abdullahi Musa fed Ibrahim Alhassan who was in the Abia Warriors box with an inch-perfect pass to slot in the first goal of the encounter.
Abia warriors mounted a feeble opposition to Wikki’s chances of getting a second as Bauchi team maintained their virtually-total domination of the match. The one and only clear chance for the Warriors arrived in the 35th minute when Chinenye Aloha threatened the Tourist’s control of the week 28 fixture but that attempt failed to find the back of the net.
By the second half of the game Wikki Tourist wrapped up proceedings via the boot of Godwin Obaje who doubled their lead after some good work from the midfield. Obaje could have made it three had he attacked the scintillating cross from Festus Umarah quickly enough.
With that win, Wikki Tourists currently occupy the topmost position on the league table and will prepare for Match Day 29 when they face The Promise Keepers of Akwa United at Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. Meanwhile, fellow title chasers, Rangers of Enugu who are on the second spot will lock horns with defending champions, Enyimba, in what promises to be a mouth-watering South-east Oriental derby.