Super Eagles defender Benjamin Tanimu has been honoured with the Edo State Global Player of the Year award, recognising his exceptional performances for both club and country, Soccernet.ng reports.
It has been a remarkable year for the former Bendel Insurance player, who began his professional journey in Tanzania with Ihefu FC before making the move to England to represent Crawley Town FC.
Tanimu rose to prominence after a series of injuries hit the Super Eagles squad following their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. This led to his call-up by Finidi George, where he impressed on his debut in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory against Ghana.
His standout performance is believed to have contributed to him receiving this prestigious award, which the Nigerian defender proudly shared with fans on his social media page.
Benjamin Tanimu receives Global Player Of The Year award [Photo credit/ Benjamin Tanimu – IG Story]
Finidi George’s Admiration for Tanimu.
Despite beginning his career in Africa while many of his peers play in Europe, Tanimu’s exceptional display against Ghana showcased his quality, earning him fans’ admiration and praise from Finidi George.
Benjamin Tanimu of Nigeria and Elias Mokwana of South Africa during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier match between Nigeria and South Africa [Photo credit/Imago]
The former Ajax winger revealed his long-standing interest in Tanimu, noting that he had previously attempted to sign him during his time at Bendel Insurance.
“He [Benjamin Tanimu] is a player I wanted while he was still at Bendel Insurance, but it didn’t work out. So, with all the injuries we had, I thought of him as a substitute. He was doing so well for his club in Tanzania, so why not?” Finidi said.
Crawley Town Boss on Tanimu
Although the 22-year-old has yet to secure significant playing time at Crawley Town, he has impressed his manager, Rob Eliot, who praised Tanimu’s professionalism and potential.
“He seems like a really good professional, a really good athlete. From the games he’s played, we’ve seen his ability, and hopefully, he can help us. We just need to ensure we make the right decisions when including him,” Eliot remarked.
By Ayomide Oguntimehin @Succernet
