2 weeks ago
32
New Crawley Town FC defender Benjamin Tanimu has been handed a late call-up to the Super Eagles camp ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, replacing injured Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Tanimu arrived at the team’s camp in Uyo alongside AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze and his inclusion was confirmed via the Super Eagles media handles on Tuesday.
“Camp update: Benjamin Tanimu replaces Bright Osayi-Samuel,” the team announced via X.
Osayi-Samuel was reportedly injured last week after missing Fenerbahce’s 5-0 win over Rizespor, as well as their 3-0 win over Alanyaspor last Friday.
Tanimu, who was initially excluded from the 23-man list, now comes back to replace him and is poised for his fourth Super Eagles cap.
The 22-year-old’s first Super Eagles invitation was in March, featuring in one of the two friendly matches against Ghana before playing in the two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic in June.
He also completed a move to English League One side Crawley Town FC from Singida Black Stars, formerly Ihefu of Tanzania.
Tanimu joins the League One outfit less than a year after leaving Nigeria Premier Football League side Bendel Insurance to join the Tanzania club. He was part of Benin Arsenal’s unprecedented 21-game unbeaten run in the NPFL in 2023.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
English (US) ·