This season’s Ghana Premier League is without a team from Tamale. This extends a two year period where Tamale has failed to produce a representative in the country’s top division.

Wa All Stars were the last Premier League team from the north. The club have subsequently rebranded as Legon Cities relocating to the Southern part of the country.

The region still has some glitter of hope as Real Tamale United (RTU), are arguably their most formidable side but they have failed to make an appearance in the Ghana Premier League since last doing so in the 2013/14 season.

There are however Steadfast FC and Tamale FC but the two have also failed in their attempts at representing the city.

This trend is one that leaves an indelible mark on Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and president of Steadfast FC.

“One of my daily regrets is the fact that there is no Premier League team in Tamale, so many of the opportunities are lost.” The MP told George Addo Jnr in a discussion about football prospects in the region.

The three Tamale-based clubs, RTU, Steadfast FC and Tamale FC are currently competing in Zone One of the Division One league. It is therefore the hope of Iddrisu that one of the three teams make the cut to join the country’s premier division.

“That’s why I pray either RTU, or Steadfast or Tamale City makes it this time round.”

Should any of these three teams make the cut, finding a standard pitch to host home games will not be an issue, as the city has been blessed with a FIFA standard stadium in the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

However, Haruna Iddrisu is of the view that the stadium is not fully serving its purpose.

“We’re lucky president Kuffour built this stadium for us. It is underutilized because of the fact that we do not have a premier club in Tamale, even though there are many division one clubs. We really need to be at the level of the premiership.”

It is one of the many desires of a man who has made investments in the game for a decade now, that the region can quickly boast of a club in the Ghana Premier League. Steadfast FC, RTU and Tamale FC are currently 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively in Zone 3 of the Division One League.