Wikki Tourists of Bauchi have successfully navigated their way back into the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, following an emphatic 4-0 Win Over Yobe Desert Stars in the matchday three of the 2024/2025 NNL Super 8 Play-offs here at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Four unreplied goals I the first half proved just enough for the Coach Abdul Maikaba side to finish top of the Northern Confwrence group with five points, same as second placed Barau FC who defeated Doma United 2-0 in the other group match played simultaneously at Delta State University, Ozoro.

The result proved enough to steer the team back to the Nigerian elite league. Wikki finished the campaign top on the Northern Conference group with five points, same as Barau FC who equally finished with five points but with lesser goal aggregate despite a 2-0 win same time against Doma United.

An elated Maikaba whose side went 'goal-riot' in the first half with four goals, said afterwards that he was pleased with his players performance on the day.

"I'm very, very happy with the players. I really congratulate my boys. Scoring four goals in a single match means a lot. Its like they saved their best for the last. It's like they really want to win and return back to the Premiership. I'm really happy about it", Maikaba said.

Wikki Tourists were without goals in their previous two games. But they responded with four emphatic goals in a single game when it really mattered most.

Maikaba, who had insisted he would work on his players wastefulness in front of goal in their previous games said the match had psychological connotation hence his players came to the party at the right moment and with the perfect mentality.

"The match is psychological. I sat down with the players and understood that they were anxious to score goals. They were too much in a hurry to see the ball inside the back of the net.

"And in so doing, they made a lot of mistakes. So we had an exercise yesterday where we put them in front of goal under pressure and urged them to try to be calm and get their goals.

"And they did it very, very well today and I'm very happy".
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Maikaba on Monday castigated referees for 'taking sides' when his team settled for a scoreless draw against Barau FC.

But after a commanding 4-0 triumph over Yobe Desert Stars on Thursday at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Maikaba swallowed his vomit, apologising to the organisers and referees for the statement.

"I've withdrawn that statement since. I was just being emotional at the time I made that statement. I regretted it more especially since as a senior coach, saying such in the presence of our upcoming coaches, they will just copy from it, which is not good for the game", Coach Maikaba stressed.