Matchday 10 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season takes us to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, where newly promoted Wikki Tourists host an in-form Shooting Stars SC in a clash defined by two contrasting missions, survival vs title pursuit.

Contrasting Form: Wikki Under Pressure, 3SC in Full Flow

Wikki Tourists enter this encounter in worrying form, having suffered a disappointing derby loss to El-Kanemi Warriors last weekend. That defeat not only marked their fourth loss of the season, but also extended their winless streak to six matches, a run that has unsettled their survival hopes.

In contrast, Shooting Stars head into this fixture brimming with confidence, fresh off a convincing 2–0 home victory over Abia Warriors. The Oluyole Warriors are now five games unbeaten (four wins, one draw) and will look to extend their impressive run to strengthen their grip on the top end of the table.

Six Games Unbeaten vs Six Games Winless, A Crucial Turning Point

The stakes could not be higher.

After collecting just two points from their opening four matches, Coach Nurudeen Aweroro has completely revitalized Shooting Stars. Their resurgence, four wins and a draw in their last five fixtures, has lifted them to second place on the NPFL log, only four points behind the table leaders.

This match represents another opportunity for 3SC to reinforce their growing title credentials.

For Coach Abdu Maikaba and his Wikki Tourists, however, this is a potential turning point. Languishing near the relegation zone, they will target this home fixture as a possible spark to reignite their season, backed by the passionate Bauchi faithful.

Head-to-Head Record, An Even Rivalry, But a Strong Home Trend

Historically, this fixture has been tightly contested:

Interestingly, no away team has recorded a victory in this fixture for over a decade. The last two meetings in 2022 both ended in stalemates (0–0 in Ibadan, 1–1 in Bauchi). Can 3SC break the pattern and claim a massive road win?

Players to Watch

Wikki Tourists

• Klinshak Longbak – The creative spark in midfield with vision and incisive passing.

• Saifullahi Yusuf – A reliable defensive marshal with aerial dominance and leadership.

• Abdullahi Usman – Intelligent forward with sharp movement and goal instincts.

• Jephtaph Mairiga – The midfield anchor who dictates tempo and maintains composure.

Shooting Stars SC

• Ayobami Junior – Opened his season account last weekend; dictates midfield play with precision.

• Ismail Ayodele – Electrifying winger whose pace and delivery continue to cause problems for defenders.

• Tijani Kabir – A box-to-box dynamo with relentless energy and creative link-up play.

• Adelowo Gbolagade – A defensive leader providing organization, resilience, and authority at the back.

What to Expect

This fixture promises intensity, grit, and psychological warfare.

• Wikki Tourists will rely on physicality, home support, and tactical discipline in a desperate attempt to stop the slide.

• Shooting Stars, riding high on form and confidence, will seek to control possession, stay compact, and strike with pace and precision.

With one team fighting relegation fears and the other chasing the summit, this contest is set to be a dramatic clash of urgency versus ambition.

Match Details

Fixture: Wikki Tourists vs Shooting Stars SC
Venue: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi
Date: Sunday, October 26th, 2025
Kick-off: 4:00 PM
Live Coverage: Propel Web & NPFL Live App

Final Thought:
Can Shooting Stars extend their unbeaten run and break the Bauchi jinx, or will Wikki Tourists rise from the ashes in front of their home crowd?
All roads lead to Bauchi this Sunday, where ambitions will be tested and statements will be made.