Moroccan side IR Tanger has given a 20 days tryout stint to Ethiopian international Mujib Kassim as Soccer Ethiopia learnt. The center back will travel to Morocco in the next few hours as he attends a trial with the Botola Pro league side club for the next 20 days.
Mujib has been in the Ethiopian national team squad for the CHAN qualifier crucial game against Sudan next week but he pulled out of the squad amid IR Tanger hands him a trial. The former Sidama Bunna and Hawassa Ketema defender spent the 2016/17 season in Adama Ketema. Under the leadership of Coach Ashenafi Bekele, now trains the Waliya Antelopes, Mujib occasionally deployed as a striker and midfielder as he struck some important goals for Adama Ketema during the season. Mujib yet has a one year contract with Adama; however, if he succeeds in landing a deal with IR Tanger, he will be making a switch to Morocco by becoming the first Ethiopian to play in the North African nation.
Ittihad Riadi Tanger, established in 1983 after a fusion of clubs that were competing in the Morocco second division, is a Moroccan club based in the city of Tangier. The club is widely supported in the Tanger-Tetouan region. Although, the club has not been a force to be reckoned in the Moroccan club football that is largely dominated by Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca, FUS Rabat and AS FAR. It has manage to finish 3rd in the log in 2015/16 season, qualifying for their maiden Total CAF Confederations Cup. IR Tanger under Algerian coach Adbelhak Benchika wrapped up the 2016/17 season being 5th with 45 points, 21 points behind champions Wydad Casablanca.
IR Tanger play their home game in the 45,000 seater Stade Ibn Batouta Tangier. The club have now appointed Moroccan legend Ezzaki ‘Zaki’ Badou as their new coach. Zaki, who has had an illustrious career with Wydad, FUS and Real Mallora, led Algiers outfit CR Belouizdad to the Algerian Cup glory after beating ES Setif 1-0.
Ethiopian players have been getting trial stints in other foreign clubs. Gatoch Panom, who had a five days tryout in Russia, signed for Anzhi Makachkala whilst Binyam Belay had unsuccessful trial in Germany and Austria.
