By Andrew Abah, Morocco
Benjamin Tanimu who ply his trade with Maghreb of Fez in Morocco Botola Pro League has charged the Super Eagles not to be discouraged by the 2 – 4 penalty loss in the semi final against the host Atlas of Morocco in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Taminu urged the players to look beyond the loss and prepare for the third place clash against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Saturday.
”The boys gave their best but you know this is what football entails. Being a player, I think fatigue came in, you understand? And it was just hard luck for us. I wouldn’t say anything about the referee now, because it’s football. Anything can happen. Besides, we lost in penalty shootouts. We did very well, but I would say luck was not on our side.
“I would not want my former Bendel Insurance team, Amas Obasogie and the rest of the guys to come this far and leave Morocco empty handed. So they should gear up and go all out for the third place.” he said.
Speaking about his none inclusion in the squad to the 35th Afcon, Benjamin Tanimu commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the crop of players selected.
He also disclosed he was not in top shape during the selection process for the Afcon but said he would love to contribute his quota in the future if the opportunity presents itself.
”Everyone deserves to come to the national team. I’ve been there.
In 2023, I played for the Under-23 (Olympic team). When I got the call-up, it was kind of a dream because, again, like I said, everybody wants to represent their country. Even those doing Taekwondo, Athletics, they all want to represent their country. So me getting the call-up to the U23 was a big one.
“Eventually, I got the Super Eagles call-up after I left Nigeria, so it was a very good one for me. It’s just more opportunities. When you get the opportunity, you have to use it.” The 23-year-old revealed.
The former Bendel Insurance defender, Tanimu also used the opportunity to call on the handlers of the Nigeria Premier Football League to work tirelessly and purposefully to ensure that the league management covers all lacuna in comparison with other African leagues most especially the Moroccan Botola Pro League.
”The Morocco league is compared to leagues in Europe, so it’s a very good league.
We don’t have enough sponsorship in the Nigerian league. We have stadiums but lack adequate maintenance of the facilities. The margin in comparison with the Moroccan league is very long.
Nigerian league has to improve on the players’ welfare. Here (Botola Pro) they pay like some European clubs. Hakeem Ziyech, who played in Chelsea, Ajax and Galatasaray is currently playing in Morocco.
We also need to improve on the television broadcast so the whole country can see our league.
Here in Morocco, like you saw at the stadium yesterday, Nigerians couldn’t even get tickets to watch the game.”
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