Career
He played most of his 15-year professional career - blighted by injuries - in Germany, with Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg. Born in Kumasi, Tanko joined German side BV Borussia Dortmund from King Faisal Babes at age 17, making him the third youngest player to appear professionally for the team, behind Nuri Şahin and Lars Ricken. Injuries and loss of form led to an eventual release from the club (he did participate in three contests, all as a late substitute, in Borussia"s 1996-1997 Union of European Football Associations Champions League victorious run) as he amassed no more than three league appearances in three different seasons, also being suspended and eventually released after testing positive for cannabis.
At Freiburg, Tanko"s output improved slightly, and he played a career-high 27 matches (with two goals) in 2005-2006"s second level
However, he only appeared once the following season, and retired at 30. In January 2012, Tanko was appointed as the head scout of the Ghana national football team and prior to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 1 July 2007, Tanko was named assistant coach for Freiburg"s reserves, leaving after 18 months, together with Karsten Neitzel, to J. League"s Urawa Red Diamonds, in the same capacity, as he rejoined former Freiburg boss Volker Finke. On 4 June 2013, they continued their partnership as Tanko joined the coaching staff of Cameroon national team, headed by Finke.