England FA ‘Stop’ Ameobi, Moses

Posted: May 05, 2011

Nigeria are uncertain of having strikers Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses available for a rash of games between May and June, according to officials.

The Super Eagles have games against an as yet unnamed African country on May 28 as part of the country's Inauguration celebrations. Following that, they play a high profile friendly against Argentina on June 1 before heading off to Addis Ababa to tackle Ethiopia in a clutch game of the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier.

Both players have represented England at junior international level, but recently declared their willingness to switch allegiance to their country of birth.

One of five required documents for forwarding their application to FIFA for consideration is a letter from The FA in England, but NFF's General Secretary Musa Amadu told KickOffNigeria.com that the letter is yet to arrive.

"FIFA requires five documents in order to process the players' applications. A signed letter from the player stating that he wants to make the switch and acknowledging their understanding that the decision is irrevocable, a copy of their UK passport, a copy of their Nigeria passport, a letter from the English FA outlining the games they played in at junior level, and another letter from them consenting to the switch.

"They have already sent us a letter, signed by Adrian Bevington the Club England Managing Director, outlining the games that Moses represented England in, but nothing yet for Ameobi.

"However, they added a caveat that the letter in no way represents their endorsement for the player to switch nationalities," Amadu said.

It means Nigeria cannot forward the full aplication for a switch in nationality for both players until the documentation is complete.

Amadu says the NFF are actively pursuing the matter.

"In the next few days, we want to put some urgency into the process to get them to send the letters."

There have been suggestions that England are still hoping to hang on to Moses, but in the event that the FA remain recalcitrant, Amadu says the decision will go to the FIFA Player Status Committee.

"Both players have written and signed letters to FIFA showing their willingness to change nationalities. It is only right that their wishes are respected."