Real reason Benjamin Tanimu parted ways with Maghreb de Fès

Super Eagles defender Benjamin Tanimu has opened up about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Moroccan club Maghreb de Fès, Afrik-Foot reports.

The three-cap Nigerian defender recently announced his decision to leave the Yellow Tigers after reaching a mutual agreement with the club’s hierarchy to terminate his contract, despite still having two years left on the deal.

Tanimu began his career with Bendel Insurance, where he established himself as one of the best homegrown defenders in Nigeria and even went on to make his debut for the national team in 2024.

He helped the club win the Nigeria National League title in the 2021–22 season to secure promotion to the Nigerian top flight and also played an important role as they won the Federations Cup a year later before leaving the club in 2024 after seven years of service.

The 23-year-old later joined Singida Black Stars in Tanzania before earning a move to English lower-league side Crawley Town, where he made 10 appearances across all competitions. He eventually returned to Africa to join Maghreb de Fès last summer.

Why Benjamin Tanimu left Maghreb de Fès

Benjamin Tanimu’s move to the Maghreb de Fès last summer was expected to be a major step forward in his career and also help him cement a regular place in the Super Eagles setup.

However, things did not go as planned. The defender struggled for game time and made just two appearances, playing only two minutes in total across both matches. After spending several games on the bench, he was dropped from the squad entirely.

Although he admitted he enjoyed his time in Morocco, Tanimu explained that the lack of playing opportunities was the major reason behind his decision to leave the club.

“Despite everything, I cannot say anything bad about the club. It was purely a sporting decision from my side, but I did enjoy my stay in Morocco”, the Nigerian defender said, via Footy-Africa.

“The issue was that I was not getting the minutes I was promised when I moved here, so I felt I needed a new challenge to start afresh and show what I can do.”

Tanimu also revealed that he believes this is the right time to leave the club, especially with the transfer window approaching, which gives him more opportunities to carefully consider his next move.

“I needed to leave and focus on somewhere else, especially with the transfer window around the corner. I have had some offers come in for me, but we are carefully looking at all of them. I have to settle down and choose wisely so I do not make the same mistakes again”, the defender added.

What next for Benjamin Tanimu?

Nigerian defender Benjamin Tanimu was expected to make a strong impression in the Moroccan league, but the move did not work out as planned and he is now focused on a fresh start elsewhere after leaving the four-time champions.

While the Super Eagles defender confirmed that he has already received interest from several clubs, his priority will be finding a club where he can play regularly and rediscover the form that earned him three appearances for the Super Eagles under former head coach Finidi George.

A return to the national team is still possible, especially with current coach Eric Chelle known for giving opportunities to new players.

However, Tanimu will first need to secure regular playing time and regain top form before making his case for another call-up.