The caretaker coach of the senior national team of Nigeria took a lot of people by surprise when he handed a debut to Ihefu of Tanzania defender Benjamin Tanimu from the start in the team’s 2-1 win over Ghana in yesterday’s international friendly game.
Tanimu who was called up to the team for the first time was surprisingly picked ahead of the vice captain of the team Kenneth Omeruo. He was played as the right sided centre back in the team’s 3-5-2 formation for the game.
He didn’t look out of place and crafted Nigeria’s best chance of the first half with a sublime over the top pass. His all round performance was decent for the period he was on and Finidi was asked about his assessment of the 21 year old former Insurance of Benin defender, and why he started ahead of Omeruo.
“He (Tanimu) is a player that I wanted while he was still at Bendel Insurance but it didn’t work out. So with all the injuries that we had, we had to look for a player that can substitute and it came to my mind to invite him and he is doing so well for his club in Tanzania. So why not?”, he said at the post match presser.
“Not bad being his first time, it’s not easy wearing that national team colors but on the overall I will give him credit. It’s not a bad one for the first time wearing that jersey to be there up and doing is a great thing you know.
“In training Kenneth had a knock so I think he couldn’t go. We will rest him for the next match that was the reason”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
