Tanimu returns from Super Eagles duty to make long-awaited Crawley Town debut

Versatile defender Benjamin Tanimu has finally made his competitive debut for Crawley Town.

Tanimu joined League One newcomers Crawley Town just before the close of the transfer window to boost the defensive options of the club.

Prior to the visit to Reading on Saturday, the Bendel Insurance alum was not included in any gameday squad following his summer move from Tanzanian outfit Singida Black Stars.

After the transfer was announced, Tanimu was unable to begin training with his new teammates at Crawley Town due to his call-up to Nigeria's squad for a pair of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin's Cheetahs and Rwanda's Wasps.

He was also invited for Nigeria's October internationals against Libya and as a result, he missed Crawley Town's matches against AFC Wimbledon and Shrewsbury Town.

Tanimu, along with the Super Eagles squad, was stranded for over 16 hours at Al Abraq Airport in Libya without food or water, before they finally flew back to Abuja after the Nigerian government intervened. 

After his ordeal in Libya, the former Nigeria U23 international was a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad for Saturday's League One clash against Reading at Select Car Leasing Stadium. 

Wearing the number 17 on the back of his jersey, Tanimu came off the bench in the 83rd minute for his first appearance in English football, replacing Mukena. 

The outcome of the game was all but sealed before the Super Eagles player entered the game as a substitute, with
Amadou Salif Mbengue, Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Sam Smith finding the back of the net for Reading and Harry Forster getting on the scoresheet for the Red Devils.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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