Wikki Tourists FC have publicly applauded Warinje FC for earning promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL), praising the club’s resilience and ambition. The Bauchi-based team, champions of the state’s President Federation Cup, issued a statement commending Warinje for their standout performance during the Bauchi FA competition.

Warinje secured promotion with a 1–0 victory over Wikki Tourists in the Bauchi FA Cup final, a result that propelled them onto the national stage. In response, Wikki’s head coach Abdul Maikaba and chairman Auwal Gotal sent their congratulations, expressing belief that Warinje’s tenacity would serve them well in the NNL.

Gotal also noted the value of such healthy rivalries, calling them beneficial for Bauchi football. He praised Warinje’s achievement and extended best wishes for their performance in the upcoming national competition.

Editorial

We welcome Wikki Tourists' sagacious gesture in recognising Warinje FC’s achievement as a sign of sportsmanship and the league’s collaborative spirit. It’s heartening to see rival clubs uniting to celebrate each other’s success such mutual respect is vital for the health of Nigerian football.

We believe that promotion earned through determination like Warinje’s deserves acknowledgement from all corners of the football community. It elevates the standard and inspires emerging clubs to invest in youth development and robust coaching.

We feel Bauchi State’s football ecosystem is strengthened when clubs celebrate not just their own glory but also that of their neighbours. Support and recognition from established clubs like Wikki can propel newcomers to aim higher and feel integrated into the broader football family.

We urge more clubs across Nigeria to reflect Wikki’s example. A culture that prizes solidarity as much as success will accelerate progress on and off the pitch. Such unity fosters stronger league competition, better talent growth, and communal pride.

Did You Know?

1. Wikki Tourists were crowned Bauchi State FA Cup champions in both 2024 and 2025, defeating Warinje FC in tightly contested finals.
   


2. Wikki Tourists finished top of the Northern Conference C in the 2024/25 NNL season, securing automatic qualification for the Super Eight playoffs.
   


3. Jonathan Mairiga starred in Wikki’s 4–1 win over Zamfara United on 18 May 2025, scoring a hat‑trick to seal their Super Eight spot.
   


4. Founded in 1992, Wikki Tourists are nicknamed the "Giant Elephant" and play their home games at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, with a 15,000‑capacity ground shared across local competitions.
   


5. Each NNL season, four teams typically the top two from each conference gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League via playoffs.