Eagles set to grab 'Super Sam'
by George Akpayen 30 November 2012, 10:23
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has started the process of securing Sidney Sam to play for the Super Eagles, supersport.com can report.
But the process to win Sam's international switch is expected to take full swing after the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
The football federation's move is still at the primary stage of collating vital documents to kick-start the switch of the Bayer Leverkusen winger.
"On our path we have started the process of the switch. But it is not cast in stone because the whole process is always cumbersome. When they ask for documents and you submit such, you will find out later that they will request for more. And you just have to keep meeting such demands till the player gets cleared.
"From our own end we will collate all necessary documents to speed up the process. But remember that he (Sam) played for the German youth team so they (the German FA) will have to write (Fifa) saying Sidney has agreed to play for Nigeria. It was the same tough routine we had for Shola (Ameobi) and Victor (Moses) but let's concentrate on the present.
"So there's no way the NFF is stalling on speeding up the process of allowing any player switch their international allegiance in the shortest possible time," said the NFF Assistant Director, Media, Ademola Olajire.
Earlier in November, Sam was quoted by Kicker that he had a "very harmonious, good and convincing talk" with Keshi.
Sam also underlined why he has opted to play for his father's country despite being born in Kiel, Germany.
"There were intense discussions and I am keen to play for Nigeria," Kicker quoted Sam as saying.
"The country (Nigeria) has a great football tradition, the team is full of good players."
Sam's adviser, Dirk Hebel, is expected to play a key part in helping the winger switch his international career to Nigeria.
