The share of the spoils against rivals Tamale City was enough for Real Tamale United to keep in touch with the top of the Division One League Zone 1 table but with ten matches to wrap the season, the Pride of the North would have to react fast.
A point against The Citizens in a drab derby means RTU stay in touch with the top end of the table but they are going to have to find a higher level if they truly want to compete for the big ticket into the Premier League next season.
Coach Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko’s side, despite their impressive start to the season, are still relatively close to the gate of Ghana Premier League football next season after 20 games and there had even been murmurs of a promotion battle ahead of this clash, such is the bizarre nature of this campaign.
It was a Tamale derby spiced in all departments and not just the over 4,000 fans who were at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium. The game was packed with passion, fire, intensity and, most importantly, excitement as the two cross-city rivals traded blows in the league for the second time this season.
After a goalless first half, Abubakari Nawas fired RTU in the lead after a bright start to the second half. However, Tamale City responded after the away side decided to slow the tempo of the game.
Hamza Mohammed’s substitutions when he brought on Ibrahim Babamu and Issac Mensah seems to work as the two combined to give City a life line with an equalizer twenty minutes to full time.
Tamale City failed though to build on that confidence to produce what would have been their first derby double over RTU.
The momentum of the bid for promotion continues after the MTN FA Cup matches with Real Tamale United engaging Nsoatreman FC and Crocodile Stars at home in week 21 and 22 respectively.
By: Sey Mubarick
