Wikki Tourists’ technical adviser, Abdullahi Maikaba, has outlined a strategy to strengthen the Nigerian football club’s squad by recruiting players from lower-tier leagues ahead of their return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the country’s top-flight competition. The move, he explained, mirrors the approach that propelled the team to stability during their 2015-16 campaign, when they last competed in the NPFL after promotion.
The Bauchi-based club earned promotion to the NPFL last season following a two-year absence, according to Nigerian news outlet Media Talk Africa. Maikaba, who previously guided the team during their 2015-16 season, emphasized that maintaining the core of the promoted squad while integrating select lower-league additions was key to their past success. “The plans won’t be different from what we did in the 2015-16 season, where I met a team that had been promoted, continued with the team, and added a few players from the lower league,” he told Sport Light Hub.
Wikki Tourists’ return to the NPFL marks a significant step for the club, which has historically relied on a blend of experienced players and emerging talent. The NPFL, Nigeria’s premier football division, features 20 teams and operates under a format that often sees promoted clubs struggle to retain their status. Maikaba’s focus on recruiting from lower divisions aims to balance squad depth with familiarity, a tactic he believes will help the team avoid relegation and compete effectively.
The upcoming NPFL season, scheduled to kick off next month, will test Wikki Tourists’ readiness against established top-tier sides. While the club has not disclosed specific transfer targets, Maikaba’s comments suggest a deliberate emphasis on nurturing domestic talent, a practice increasingly common among Nigerian teams facing budget constraints.
For international audiences, the NPFL represents a critical pathway for local players seeking visibility in larger African leagues or abroad. Wikki Tourists’ strategy underscores the broader challenges and opportunities facing promoted clubs in competitive football ecosystems, where strategic recruitment and tactical continuity often determine longevity.
As preparations intensify, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Maikaba’s blueprint can replicate past achievements and secure the club’s place in Nigeria’s football hierarchy.
