The 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season ended on a frustrating note for Warri Wolves, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wikki Tourists at home. The Matchday 19 clash at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro on December 30, 2025, perfectly encapsulated the Seasiders' campaign: full of promise but ultimately undermined by costly errors.
Defensive Lapses Cost Wolves Crucial Home Win
Despite showcasing exciting attacking football, Warri Wolves once again failed to secure maximum points on their own turf. The draw highlighted a severe and ongoing problem for the Delta-based side: they have now dropped a staggering 16 points from a possible 30 in their 10 home games this season. This inability to convert home advantage into wins continues to haunt their ambitions in the top flight.
The team's Technical Adviser, Napoleon Aluma, was blunt in his assessment after the final whistle. He pinpointed defensive mistakes as the primary reason for surrendering a vital victory. "We made silly mistakes at the back, especially conceding the first goal," Aluma stated. "The changes at the start of the second half brought us back into the game, but conceding that second goal was really hard to take."
Tourists Depart Ozoro With Deserved Point and Belief
For the visiting Wikki Tourists, the result represented a significant morale boost. Their Technical Adviser, Abdul Maikaba, praised his squad's discipline and execution of the game plan. He described the hard-earned point as fully merited. "I'm so proud of my players for the effort they put in. We had a game plan, they followed my instructions, and it was a deserved result," Maikaba said. He reiterated that his team's core objective remains securing their NPFL status for another season.
Tight Relegation Battle Looms After Stalemate
The implications of the draw are clear in the league standings. Warri Wolves sit 13th with 24 points from 19 matches, just one point above 14th-placed Wikki Tourists, who have 23 points. This narrow gap sets the stage for a tense and unforgiving relegation scrap as the league enters its second stanza.
Aluma, while acknowledging the setbacks, insisted the season is far from over. "There is room for improvement. I need to focus on the things within my control, which is to ensure I get the best out of the players at my disposal," he explained, maintaining that the team's target is still to secure a continental qualification spot.
There is little time for either team to reflect, as a swift rematch is on the horizon. The two sides are scheduled to meet again in the reverse fixture on January 7, 2026, in a Matchday 20 encounter that could have major consequences for their respective seasons.
