Head coach of Real Tamale United Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko and his team are facing a crucial January which could make or break their season after losing a host of first-team players to injury.
The Pride of the North have entertain fans with some good football since the start of the new season , and currently sit a massive 8th, seven points behind leaders King Faisal having commenced the Premier League campaign on a brighter note.
Since the departure of David Abagna to the Africa Cup of Nations with the Black Stars and injuries to players like Bawa Samuel, Issah Huda, Abdulai Hafiz Pablo and Hardi Mohammed, Coach Tanko is undoubtedly enduring his most challenging period yet at RTU and must devise a plan to resurrect their season before the end of the first round.
Injury woes
The former Hearts of Oak and Medeama coach has been dealt a number of injury blows in recent weeks, the most serious of which was when Abdulai Hafiz sustaining a knee problem against Elimina Sharks in early December.
Hafiz will likely be unavailable for the rest of the first round after undergoing scan on his knee. The former Utrecht Academy player had been in fantastic form prior to the Sharks game at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.
A January signing may well be required, with Hearts of Oak Manaf Umar still a target for RTU.
And to add to Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko’s woes, Ismeal Nketiah and Mohammed Sadat are also facing weeks on the sidelines after aggravating ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. The inform holding midfielder Sadat has missed just one of the 11 games played so far.
Defender Nurudeen Wemah is yet another injury concern ahead of RTU’s trip to Bechem after failing to train on Friday. The former Tamale City player is yet to miss a game in the Premier League this season and his absence could be a big blow to the team.
As a matter of fact, coach Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko’s biggest transfer priority this month should be to target a midfielder capable of operating the engine room, such as Hearts of Oak’s Manaf Umar , whose versatility is said to appeal to RTU’s officials.
Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko when dealt with similar adversities in the past, has always managed to get things back on track and is expected to get the best out of rest of the squad. Real Tamale United will engage Bechem United on Sunday before returning to face newly promoted Bibiani Gold Stars next Sunday.
By: Sey Mubarick
