Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi is keen to add Sidney Sam to his side for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying games.
The Bayer Leverkusen winger, in spite of having declared his interest to play for Nigeria after representing Germany at Under19, 20 and 21 levels, will not be eligible to feature at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Keshi, 50, stated that it will be good to add the 24-year-old to his team for the World Cup qualifying games next year.
“Sidney won’t be part of our plans for the Nations Cup in South Africa. We know why because that looks impossible now. But I’ll always consider him for the World Cup qualifiers as we need every top player at top levels, who show commitment, in the team to help our campaign.
“He has said he wants to play for Nigeria and that shows he is ready to commit himself. I pray the federation (NFF) gets him cleared in time too,” said Keshi.
An executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Effiong Johnson revealed to journalists in Lagos on Friday at the Agege Stadium that Sam’s issue was not discussed at the exco’s meeting in Abuja this week.
“That (Sam’s) issue wasn’t brought up at our most recent Exco meeting. In the case of Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi it was brought up. So it just may be the head coach (Keshi) hasn’t written officially to the federation.
“But the exco (of the NFF) will meet again next week and maybe Sidney’s case will come up. Till then let’s wait,” said Effiong, who is also the chairman of Akwa Ibom FA.
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