Wikki Tourists’ Chinedu Udeh reflects on important home win

Wikki Tourists goalkeeper Chinedu Udeh has stressed the importance of their home win against Katsina United, which has lifted them higher above the relegation zone.

A lone goal scored by Manu Garba in the 67th minute ensured that the Giant Elephants gained a crucial three points against the Changi Boys, which was enough to take them to fifth spot in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) Group A table with 22 points from 16 games.

Udeh was an unused substitute in against Katsina United, and noted that the win has boosted their chances of spending another season in the top-flight.

“This was a win that we worked very hard for because Katsina United made the game very difficult for us,” Udeh told Goal.

“It was a game we were at the edge of our seats for the duration of the game because Katsina United did not want to accept that they had lost the game.

"They played very well and gave us a tough time. They were aided in the 88th minute when our goalkeeper for the game, Adamu Abubakar was given a red card for his second yellow card but we held on.

“The red card reduced us to nine outfield players because we had exhausted our three substitutions by then. It was one of our strikers, Abba Umar that went to man the post for us. We got the three points and we were all happy.”

Udeh has only played three matches for Wikki Tourists this season but the goaltender is optimistic of getting more opportunities before the end of the domestic campaign.

“I have not been that involved in our matches this season but I have manned the post for three games,” he continued.

“I was the Man of the Match in our game with Rivers United in Port Harcourt which we won 2-1 and I kept the second leg of that game too in Gombe. I was also considered for the game with Bendel Insurance but with the other three good goalkeepers I know it would be difficult to be playing regularly.”

Besides Udeh, Wikki Tourists also have Abubakar, Kazeem Yekeen and Pius Ibrahim as goalkeepers in their squad.

Wikki Tourists face a tough test when they visit Akure to trade tackles with Sunshine Stars next.