Wikki Tourists of Bauchi have pulled out of the 4th edition of Gold Cup pre-season tournament a day before the kick-off of the competition.
The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State from Friday November 25 to Saturday December 3, 2016.
The club’s media officer Abdullahi Nasiru Kobi informed nigeriasoccernet that the club withdrew because they have other two parallel pre-season tournaments.
Kobi said the chairman of the club Isa Matori regretted club’s inability to attend the competition while hoping that the development will not affect the relationship between Wikki Tourists and the organizers.
“We are not going to participate in the Gold Cup tournament in Ijebu-Ode. The reasons are; we have committed to another pre- season invitation tournament and it is also close to Super Four tournament. The arrangement is too close and we don’t want to exhaust our players before the Super Four tournament.”
He added: “The chairman expressed his regret over club’s inability to attend the Ijebu-Ode pre-season tournament. He hopes the development will not affect the relationship between our club and the organizers of the tournament.”
Meanwhile, former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Kano Pillars FC and Crown FC of Ogbomoso have arrived in Ijebu Ode, for the Tournament.
The Pyramid City side who recently named ex-Shooting Stars Sports Club ( 3SC) of Ibadan coach, Kadiri Ikhana will begin their quest in the country’s most prestigious pre-season event on Saturday afternoon (4pm) against Nationwide League One (NLO) side FC Ebedei.
Crown coach, Osho Fatai, will be leading the Ajilete Warriors against newly promoted Remo Stars FC in one of the Group B contest scheduled for Saturday evening.
credit: thenationonlineng