National League Division One outfit Wikki Tourists of Bauchi have been having a fine season. They are currently sitting on top of Division 1A with four games to spare and with four points ahead of second-placed team Kwara United.

One of the key players of Wikki Tourists is Festus Umana, a young and exciting right fullback. He along with his teammates are confident that their team would be playing in the elite league of Nigerian football come next season.

“By the grace of God promotion (to the Nigerian Premier League) is certain. We (Wikki) have been doing great,” Umana tells News Express from Bauchi.

Umana has been very impressive for Wikki Tourists this season. His mazy overlapping runs and terrific crosses, combined with a strong positional sense when defending, are qualities that have made him a much liked player amongst fans of the Bauchi outfit.

Umana is currently nursing a knock that has ruled him out of his club’s recent games, but he is hoping to be back for the Division 1A title run-in.

“I had a knock recently, but hopefully I will soon be back to help my team for the final push,” he says.

Umana is a young veteran of sorts. He has played brilliantly for a number of top clubs in the country including Sharks FC and Ocean Boys FC both of Port Harcourt.

The soft-spoken Umana, who is also comfortable as a centre back, got his early football education from the famous BJ Foundation, the Benin City-based grassroots team that has produced several successful national team players like Elderson Echiejile, Victor Moses Erhu Obanor and Stanley Okoro.

With his impressive form, national team selectors and top European clubs may just have a top talent to pick in Festus Umana.

•Photo shows Wikki Tourists star Festus Umana.