Shola Off To Africa (but not any time soon)
By Tyne-Talk
October 31 2011
Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses can now play for Nigeria after FIFA approved their applications to switch from being eligible for England. Shola who has played 20 games for the Under 21's and scored 7 goals for England in his career and Moses who represented Englands Under 17's 18's 19's and Under 21's will now have a wait to find out whether they feature in the Nigerian Football Federations future plans.
FIFA released the following statement in relation to Victor Moses;
“After having thoroughly examined the entire documentation remitted by the Nigerian Football Federation, the Single Judge concluded that the player Victor Moses fulfils the objective prerequisites as provided for in art. 18 par. 1 of the Regulations. In particular, the player has never represented the Football Association representative team at “A” international level."
“Furthermore, the Single Judge also took due note of the fact that, based on the document dated 7 July 2011, issued by the “National population commission” in Garki-Abuja, Nigeria, the player in question already held the Nigerian nationality before representing England for the first time in an international match in a U-17 official competition on 23 March 2007 as he is a Nigerian citizen by birth.”
The same statement was made in the case of Ameobi; sadly neither will experience a big competition any time soon as Nigerian failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2012 earlier this month.
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