Sports
NFF Wants Sidney At Confederations Cup
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wants former Germany under-21 midfielder Sidney Sam to play at the Confederations Cup in June.
Sam, 25, who plays for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, was born to a German mother and Nigerian father.
He has not played for Germany at full international level, making him eligible to play for the reigning African champions.
But he is waiting for Fifa to approve his nationality switch.
“It’s 80% sorted, so we believe clearance can be obtained before the competition in Brazil.”
NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said that the NFF is now intensifying its efforts to have Sam available for the tournament in Brazil.
“We’ve really progressed in the quest for Sidney Sam, we are just waiting for two documents from the player to complete our presentation,” NFF’s spokesman Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport.
“After previous applications by Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses [former England youth internationals] two years ago, we remain confident this will be sorted without any hassle.
“We are looking at the possibility of having him in the team for the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
“It’s very possible to get his clearance because the documents are all in place now and it will be a big boost for the player to start with a prestigious Fifa tournament.”
Three months ago Fifa told BBC Sport that the NFF has not fulfilled all the conditions for the nationality switch to be approved.
But the NFF remains confident it is set to finalise the paperwork.
“The Super Eagles will be camping in Germany next month and, hopefully, Sam will meet officials and other players there ,” added Olajire.
“It’s 80% sorted, so we believe clearance can be obtained before the competition in Brazil.
“The coach has emphasised the importance of having Sidney Sam in his squad and we are optimistic of favourable and quick ruling.”
According to Fifa regulations, a player wishing to represent a new country must submit a written request to the world governing body.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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