Wikki not relegation candidates—Ibrahim

Wikki Tourists captain and right back Mustapha Ibrahim has said the thought of relegation never crossed their minds in the on-going Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The state government on Monday named a new management board headed by Auwalu Baba Jada with the singular task to rescue the side currently placed 19th on the log in the 20-team top-flight.

Ibrahim said the side are quite positive to finish among the top four by the time the curtain is drawn on the league.

“We are not thinking of relegation in the on-going top-flight, rather to finish among the top four.

“I can tell you right now that with the calibre of men in the new management board, nothing is impossible for the team to achieve in the second stanza of the league.

“Our poor performance in the first stanza of the league is history as the newly found high spirit among the players is sure to take us to the highest height.

“The new board is made up of men who have the best interest of the club at heart and they have promised to give us the best motivation to excel in the league campaign.

“The aura they are breathing into the team will be the tonic to propel us to the best performance.

“I can comfortably tell you that not even in our worst situation did we ever think of going down on relegation.

Wikki Tourists are certain to bounce back to reckoning to take their pride of place,” said the former Nigerian junior international.

Ibrahim said his side are ready for the league restart clash against visiting Abia Warriors on Sunday.

The Bauchi Landlords are 19th on the 20-team top-flight on 21 points, 14 behind league leaders Plateau United.