RTU And Northern Regonal Soccer

The discussion on RTU is enough to explain the height of football in the northern region of Ghana. For years, it has been my expectation to have another club from the region to partner RTU to make the north a more stronger force in the premiership.

Road Masters managed to get to the then first division in the 80s but the road Masters we saw was not so strong to survive at that top level of soccer for long. On numerous occations, Savana Stars have come closer but the middle league has always been a tall heddle for them to clear and this potent club continues to struggle to book a ticket into the premiership.

On the youth level, Republicans Colts Club are a formidable side that poses a challenge in the colts league whilst Tamale Secondary School (Tamasco) are a big name in Milo Soccer Competition organised for schools and colleges. Abu Idrisu, Muhamed Gargo, Hamza Muhamed all benefitted from youth soccer development drive in the region.

Real Tamale United would never overlook the contribution of Muhamed Choo to the club. For me, he is the all-time best of the club. He really combined skill with hardwork to ensure the survival of the club in the premiership in his playing days. Abedi Pele, also a royal of RTU was so excellent a player that at 17 he was seleceted to CAN 82 in Libya. It was a big moment for Abedi to participate in Africa`s biggest soccer jamboree at such age. Coach CK Gyamfi had confidence in him and gave him the chance to prove his ability.

Anane Kobo also came from no where to take the premeirship by storm, topping the scoring chart of the 1984 season, thus becoming the next RTU player after Muhamed Choo to win the goal king tittle. With the retirement of Muhamed Choo, the switch of Tanko Jentuma, Lukman Dauda after Abu Imoro to the then Harry Zakhour -administered Great Olympics, Kobo to Kotoko, it then became clear that for the first time in many years, RTU were going to be in tatters but that was never to be. The club has existed up-to-date with the likes of Bobby Rahman giving inspiration to the young.

1n 1998, RTU came close to winning the FA Cup but lost to Asante Kotoko in the finals. The club lost players like Dan Acquah and Stephen Oduro to Kotoko afterwards. I wondered why Abukari Damba, Ibrahim Dossey and Oscar Asamoah could not maintain impressive form after leaving RTU. Dossey joined Hearts in mid 90s years after Damba to Olympics.

I believe there is more on Real Tamale United and Northern Regional soccer which I do not know about. Long Live RTU. Long Live Norhtern Regional soccer.