'I had to psyche the players' - Wikki Tourists boss Adamu speaks on turnaround, aspirations

Wikki Tourists' new head coach Abdullahi Adamu has stated that it is important his team are in the right frame of mind for them to reach their goal this season.

Adamu was earlier in March, promoted to fill in the vacant position at the Bauchi club following the resignation of Kabiru Dogo, almost a month ago.

Until his promotion, UEFA B licensed personnel served as one of the assistants to Dogo, in the capacity of the club's chief coach.

Under his helm as the new manager (including when he served on an interim basis), Wikki Tourists have picked up seven points from five matches: winning two games against Lobi Stars and Rangers, and drawing with Abia Warriors.

The only losses Adamu has recorded came away at Rivers United and Sunshine Stars.

Speaking about the turnaround the club had experienced under him, Adamu who have previously worked with NNL sides Katsina United, and Green Berets, revealed that it was down to fixing the mentality of the players.

“What I have done basically is to change the mentality of the players," he said in an interview according to DailyTrust.

"Most of them were demoralised. They were weighed down psychologically. So, I had to psyche them up, to bring them back to life mentally and physically and that is what is giving us results."

Speaking on his aspirations for the Bauchi club in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season, the gaffer revealed the aim was to make the playoff.

“In the last two seasons, we struggled to escape relegation but this time around, we are not going to face relegation worries.

"Instead, we want to fight to qualify for the Super 6 where everybody will see what we have been able to achieve.

“We have seen the teams in our group. We played against them so we have an idea of their strengths and weaknesses and we shall capitalise on them. We want to see how we can break into the first three and qualify for Super 6,” he said.

Upon return of the league, Wikki Tourist - currently in relegation places in Group B - will take on third-placed Sunshine Stars in a home tie.