Crawley Town manager Rob Elliot has stressed the importance of carefully managing Benjamin Tanimu's integration into the squad.
The Nigeria international joined the Reds at the end of the summer transfer window but has yet to make an appearance for Elliot's side, despite receiving two call-ups to the Nigeria national team during this period.
The 22-year-old was a key member of the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Libya.
While he remained an unused substitute during the match in Uyo, he faced a challenging situation when the team was stranded in Libya. Originally scheduled to land in Benghazi, the squad was instead directed to Al Abraq, located 200 kilometers away, with no alternative transportation provided.
Elliot on Benjamin Tanimu's progress: Balancing talent and care
Speaking to the press ahead of Crawley Town's visit to Reading, Elliot emphasised the need for careful management, particularly regarding new players. He reflected on Benjamin's journey so far:
“He trained today which is good, gets him on the grass. Obviously you are not a Nigerian international without having talent and ability. But we need to make sure we do the right thing by Benjamin. He’s had a testing week or so and he’s had an indifferent first few weeks since he has come in,” he said per the Sussex Express.
Tanimu made a notable move to the English club in September 2024, transitioning from Tanzanian side Ihefu FC, now known as Singida Black Stars, signing a two-year deal.
Tanimu received his first call-up to the Nigeria national team in March 2024 for friendly matches against Ghana and Mali. He made a memorable debut on March 22, starting in a 2–1 victory over Ghana.